…As Bandits Slip Away

Prince Adewole Adebayo of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s handling of rising insecurity, warning that Nigeria is sleepwalking into the next tragedy as violence continues to spread.

Reacting to the reported deployment of the Nigerian Army to Kwara State following fresh attacks on his verified X account, Adebayo argued that the Federal Government’s approach remains dangerously reactive rather than strategic.

He said: “Tinubu is not acting decisively — he is reacting,” Adebayo said, noting that military deployments often come after bandits have already carried out attacks and fled.

According to Adebayo, such delayed responses fail to deter criminals who have learned to strike swiftly and disappear before security forces arrive.

The former presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) questioned how many violent incidents Nigerians must endure before a proactive security strategy is adopted.

“How many attacks have we witnessed this year? How many more do we need to witness?” he asked.

Adebayo warned that unless the government changes course, the country may only be waiting for the next inevitable tragedy.

His remarks add to growing public concern over persistent insecurity across several states, despite repeated assurances from the federal government.

The comments have sparked renewed debate online over whether Nigeria’s security architecture is equipped to prevent attacks — or merely respond after lives have already been lost.

“Tinubu has now deployed the army in Kwara state to respond to the violence. Herein lies the problem. Tinubu is not acting decisively – He is reacting. This does deter bandits.

“They are already long gone when the army arrives. How many attacks have we witnessed this year? How many more do we need to witness? If the government continues with this strategy, the next tragedy is waiting around the corner.”