Outrage has trailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s trip to the United Kingdom, with critics questioning the timing as insecurity escalates across Borno and other parts of the country...Read Full; From The Source.
Recall that Tinubu had travelled to the United Kingdom to meet with British monarch, King Charles III. The trip said to be a landmark state visit is the first by a Nigerian leader in almost four decades.
President Tinubu was accompanied by First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, and have since arrived in London.
Apart from the First Lady, a long list of government officials that made the trip with the president has been trending online.
The president was received at Windsor Castle with pageantry and royal ceremony.
But some critics have argued that apart from the wrong timing of the trip following insecurity across the country, traveling with a large number of officials including the national security adviser was insensitive.
Some of the critics that spoke to DAILY POST include top opposition leaders, lawmakers and security experts.
Security officials should not be abroad during crisis – Abdullahi
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) national publicity secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, has criticised the presence of key Nigerian officials abroad amid rising insecurity in the country.
Recall that the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has said the trip aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between Nigeria and the UK in areas such as immigration, trade, investment, and cultural exchange.
The President travelled alongside the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, and several top government officials, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi, and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, among others.
But the visit came just a day after a coordinated bomb attacks in Maiduguri, Borno State, which targeted the Monday Market, the gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and the Post Office Flyover area.
The attacks reportedly left 23 people dead and 108 others injured, raising fresh concerns over the security situation in the region.
Reacting to the development in an exclusive interview with DAILY POST, Abdullahi said the President’s trip was ill-timed, even if it had been scheduled earlier.
According to him, it is inappropriate for those responsible for the country’s safety to be outside the country during a crisis.
“Of course, it is inappropriate, although we suspect the trip has been planned before the incident in Maiduguri, what we expect is for the President to return home immediately.”
He expressed disappointment over what he described as a lack of urgency, especially given the scale of the security challenges facing the country.
“It is quite sad to see him with such a massive entourage, some of whom have direct responsibility for security in Nigeria, frolicking away in London while Nigerians die in dozens,” he said.
Tinubu’s trip shows lack of empathy – Mukhtar Adnan
A former Kano State House of Assembly aspirant, Mukhtar Adnan, has also criticised the President over the United Kingdom visit.
Adnan said the president’s decision to travel at a time of rising insecurity reflects a lack of empathy from the nation’s leadership.
“It’s unfortunate and has shown lack of empathy from our leaders,” he said.
He also raised concerns over the presence of top security officials in the president’s delegation.
“Seeing the National Security Adviser on the entourage says so much about our lack of commitment and seriousness to what’s our priority,” he stated.
Adnan stressed that security should remain the government’s top priority, especially amid ongoing threats across parts of the country.
“Security is a very serious issue of concern,” he said.
He added that, in his view, the trip should have been postponed.
“If I were the President, I would suspend the trip,” he said.
Presidential presence boosts morale, but institutions matter more – Bokaji
A retired Army Captain and security analyst, Adamu Bokaji, has said that while the physical presence of the president can help boost morale and signal commitment, lasting success in Nigeria’s fight against insurgency depends more on strong institutions and consistent strategies.
Speaking on the security situation in Borno State, Bokaji described it as serious and fragile.
He noted that despite recorded gains by security forces, insurgents still have the capacity to launch attacks, particularly in remote and vulnerable areas.
“The situation remains serious and fragile. While there have been gains in certain areas, recent attacks show that insurgents still retain the capacity to strike, especially in remote and vulnerable locations,” he said in an exclusive interview with DAILY POST.
On the role of the president in coordinating security efforts, Bokaji said presence alone is not enough to guarantee long-term results.
“The president’s presence can boost morale, demonstrate commitment, and accelerate decision-making, but long-term success depends more on strong institutions, effective leadership structures, and consistent strategy implementation,” he said.
He stressed that Nigeria’s fight against insurgency is ongoing, with both progress and setbacks.
“Nigeria is making progress, but the fight is not yet won. It is a complex, ongoing battle with both successes and setbacks, requiring sustained and adaptive strategies,” Bokaji added.
The security analyst also outlined immediate steps the government should take to strengthen the fight against insurgency.
According to him, there is a need to improve intelligence gathering, troop welfare, and coordination among security agencies.
“The government should strengthen intelligence gathering, improve troop welfare and equipment, enhance inter-agency coordination, and intensify surveillance, particularly in high-risk zones,” he said.
Other reactions trail Tinubu’s UK trip amid Borno attacks
Several organisations and political figures, including Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and the Amnesty International have reacted to the bomb blasts in Borno State, expressing concern over the worsening security situation.
The ADC in a statement on Wednesday revealed that the protection of lives and property must take precedence over political distractions and diplomatic ceremonies.
It, therefore, called on President Tinubu to urgently return to the country and attend to his primary job of protecting lives.
Presidency reacts
The Presidency has responded to the Borno bomb incidents.
President Tinubu had on Tuesday directed security chiefs to relocate to Maiduguri following the attacks and condemned the incident, describing it as a desperate act by terrorist elements.
“I want to make it categorically clear that these acts of terror are the final desperate and frantic attempts by criminals and terrorist elements trying to instill and spread fear, as they are under constant pressure from our brave armed forces and security agencies,” the President said.
“We will continue to intensify our efforts against all criminal elements, wherever they may be,” the statement added.
“… Just last weekend, during a security meeting with leaders of security and intelligence agencies, I approved additional equipment and operational support to enhance their capabilities. This effort is already in progress.
“Additionally, I have directed security chiefs to move to Maiduguri to take charge of the situation. I have also directed the emergency agencies to provide proper care for the injured.
“There is no place in Nigeria where terrorists will find safety. We will locate them, confront them, and completely defeat them. Nigeria will not succumb to fear,” the statement reads in part.
Also on Wednesday, the Vice President, Kashim Shettima accompanied by Borno Deputy Governor, Usman Kadafur; National Emergency Management Agency Director-General Zubaida Umar, UMTH Chief Medical Director Ahmed Ahijo, and senior government officials visited the injured bomblast victims.
Shettima assured that the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration remained resolute in its commitment to ending terrorism in the country.
He further assured that the victims would receive adequate support, noting that NEMA, the Northeast Development Commission (NEDC) and the Borno State Government have been mobilised to provide necessary assistance.
Prior to the visit on Tuesday, former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, alongside Vice President Kashim Shettima, were in Anambra for Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s sweating in for a second term.
Calm returns to Borno – Borno Deputy Governor
The Deputy Governor of Borno State, Umaru Kadafur, said on Wednesday that the situation in the state is currently calm.
He urged residents to remain vigilant, avoid crowded areas, and report any suspicious movements to security agencies.
