Dr Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili has accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of cuddling terrorists rather than decisively eliminating them, warning that such an approach is worsening Nigeria’s security crisis.
The former World Bank vice president and co-convener of the #BringBackOurGirls movement made the remarks over the weekend, while reacting to recent mass abductions and negotiated releases involving schoolchildren and other victims, particularly in Niger State.
Ezekwesili criticised what she described as a recurring pattern of engagement and appeasement, arguing that negotiations without decisive military action embolden terrorists and armed gangs.
She said the state has repeatedly failed to seize opportunities to neutralise criminal groups, allowing them to regroup and sustain attacks on civilians.
Ezekwesili also questioned the public celebration of negotiated releases, insisting that the lack of transparency surrounding such engagements sends a dangerous signal.
According to her, Nigerians deserve to know who negotiates with kidnappers, under what terms and at what cost to national security.
Describing the situation as an emerging “abduction industry,” Ezekwesili said weak governance, poor accountability and corruption have allowed criminal networks to flourish while citizens, especially children, remain exposed to violence.
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She stressed that the constitutional responsibility of government is the protection of lives and property, adding that Nigeria’s failure to decisively confront terrorism since 2009 has continued to erode public confidence in state authority.
The Federal Government has repeatedly said it remains committed to ending terrorism and banditry through sustained military operations, improved intelligence gathering and enhanced coordination among security agencies.
Ezekwesili’s comments have renewed debate over the Tinubu administration’s security strategy, particularly the balance between negotiated releases and the use of force against armed groups.