Insecurity Issues Causing Tinubu Distress, Says Aide

Abdulillahi Yakassai, the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu focused on Community Engagement in the North-West, has expressed that the current insecurity crisis in Nigeria is deeply troubling the president, who has been having 'sleepless nights' as a result.

Speaking during an appearance on The Morning Brief on Channels Television, Yakassai remarked, 'Even the president is having sleepless nights because every week you see him having a security council meeting in the Presidential Villa to see how to address this insecurity.'

While recognizing that there have been improvements in security in certain regions, he pointed out that new threats have emerged, specifically in Kwara State. Yakassai stated, 'The security situation in some parts of the country has really been subdued, but there are some elements of new tactics coming up... very unfortunate.'

He emphasized the complexities of the current security landscape, noting that insurgents have started utilizing guerrilla warfare tactics. He described the difficulty of countering these strategies, saying, 'It’s very hard to tackle... You wouldn’t know where they come from.' Furthermore, Yakassai raised concerns that certain groups might be intentionally fostering instability to discredit the current administration.

He indicated, 'There are some elements that are against this government that are instigating this kind of insecurity situation just to give the new government a bad name.' Despite the numerous obstacles, he highlighted progress in areas once notorious for violence, such as the routes between Abuja and Kaduna and regions in Zamfara State.

Yakassai noted, 'Some places where we know there was massive insecurity... have really subsided.' Nonetheless, he acknowledged that criminal activities have migrated to other states, including Niger and Kwara.

He reiterated the government's commitment to combating insecurity, stating, 'We know a lot needs to be done... and I believe with time... it will continue to come down till we get to eliminate the insecurity situation.'