According to Daily Post, In light of the growing security challenges facing Nigeria, concerns have been raised regarding the effectiveness of the nation’s military leadership. Primate Elijah Ayodele of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church has called on the country’s top military officers to resign if they are unable to address the persistent insecurity affecting various regions.
His comments were made in response to recent violent attacks that have not only claimed lives but also threatened the stability of several communities. The call has intensified ongoing national debates about the capability of Nigeria’s security apparatus and the direction of its leadership.
Nigeria has experienced continued violence, particularly from terrorist groups operating in the northern part of the country. A recent attack in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State resulted in casualties among the Nigerian Army. The assault occurred at the Forward Operation Base of the 153 Task Force Battalion around 3:00 am, during which soldiers were reportedly overpowered and taken hostage.
This incident highlighted the vulnerability of military formations and has fueled criticism about the readiness of security forces to withstand such offensives. These developments have sparked questions about whether existing strategies and command structures are sufficient to safeguard the nation.
Primate Ayodele expressed his disappointment over the incident, pointing out that the security breaches indicate a deeper issue within the leadership of the military. According to him, the ability of insurgents to carry out such a coordinated attack reveals lapses in intelligence gathering, planning, and response. He emphasized that these failings should not be taken lightly, especially when they lead to the deaths of uniformed personnel tasked with defending the country. His criticism was directed specifically at the Chief of Army Staff and the Chief of Defence Staff, urging them to step down in favor of more competent individuals.
The cleric warned that the escalating insecurity could be used as a tool to destabilize President Bola Tinubu’s administration. He stated that if the current trend continues unchecked, it might hinder the president’s prospects for a second term. This observation comes at a time when political stakes are rising, and the public is becoming increasingly concerned about safety and governance. In this context, Primate Ayodele suggested that the president take urgent steps to address the problem by consulting widely with relevant stakeholders and reinforcing the government’s commitment to restoring security.
The challenge of insecurity is not new in Nigeria, but its persistence has begun to create wider implications. In addition to causing civilian casualties, it now appears that insurgent groups have acquired the capacity to target and weaken formal military structures. This has led to concerns that the situation might escalate further if not brought under control. Primate Ayodele alluded to the possibility of a state of emergency being declared in certain states should current efforts fail to stem the tide of violence. Such a development could lead to temporary suspensions of democratic processes in the affected regions.
Communities in northern Nigeria have continued to bear the brunt of these attacks, with numerous villages either displaced or left in fear. Soldiers, who are supposed to be the last line of defense, have become targets, raising fears that insurgents are gaining ground. The forward operating bases, established to provide quick military responses in volatile zones, are proving to be vulnerable. Observers have noted that a lack of adequate equipment, poor intelligence support, and fatigue among troops may be contributing factors to recent losses. This has led to calls from various quarters for the government to conduct a thorough evaluation of military readiness.
In his comments, Primate Ayodele lamented that the soldiers who lost their lives were victims of leadership failures rather than a lack of courage or commitment. He stressed that when high-ranking officers remain in power despite clear evidence of underperformance, it endangers not just troops, but the nation as a whole. According to him, real leadership must be based on results, not titles or ranks. He further argued that those in top military positions must be held accountable for the outcomes of their commands, especially when lives are at stake.
He said: “If they begin to kill soldiers, it means the Chief of Army Staff isn’t active, He should go and relax and allow an active person to take over. Even the CDS, too, he isn’t active.
