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The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North-West), Abdulillahi Yakassai, has claimed the country’s worsening insecurity is affecting President Tinubu’s rest.
Yakasai made the remark during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday.
“The security situation in some parts of the country has really been subdued, but there are new tactics emerging, like the one we see in Kwara State—very unfortunate.
“Even the president is having sleepless nights because every week you see him holding a Security Council meeting in the Presidential Villa to address this insecurity,” he said.
The comments come against the backdrop of growing public concern over worsening banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes in several regions, particularly in the North.
Yakasai acknowledged that the fight against insurgency has grown more difficult as groups have shifted to guerrilla-style tactics, making them harder to confront.
“It’s very hard to tackle. We have come from a long-standing crisis, and it has been ongoing. You can’t just blame this government for it.
“You wouldn’t know where they come from. I’m telling you, there is a hand in this kind of insecurity issue. We cannot just say it is a coordinated insecurity situation.
“Some elements are against this government and are instigating insecurity to give the new administration a bad name,” he said.
The presidential aide highlighted states where insecurity has reportedly reduced, including areas between Abuja and Kaduna, as well as Zamfara State.
“Some places where there was massive insecurity have really subsided. But they have changed tactics because it’s now guerrilla warfare.
“They have moved to Niger State, Kwara State, and immediately the president appointed the Inspector-General of Police, his first point of call was to Kwara State, as far as Kaiama, where these activities are happening,” Yakassai said.
He expressed optimism that government efforts would eventually curb the menace.
“We know a lot needs to be done to curb this insecurity, but I believe with time, and if all hands are put on deck, it will continue to decline until we eliminate the insecurity situation,” he added.
