President Muhammadu Buhari is acting like he is not responsible for Nigeria’s security as bandits and Boko Haram insurgents run amok, says Senator Ali Ndume. He accuses Mr Buhari of being casual in his approach to tackling worsening insecurity in the country.

Berating Mr Buhari and his security chiefs, Mr Ndume said, “I’m really disappointed with the response of so many leaders. And it’s our responsibility; the responsibility of the government is the security and welfare of its citizens. And you have leaders respond as if it’s a casual thing; as if it’s not their responsibility. It is our responsibility. I feel pained to be called a senator, and I’m almost like helpless.”

The Borno senator urged the president to take responsibility for worsening insecurity in Nigeria. He counselled Mr Buhari to address the nation instead of issuing press statements through his media aides. 

“When it comes to issues like these, it is the president himself that is supposed to be talking to Nigerians, not some press adviser,” added Mr Ndume. “The president, of course, should be taking responsibility. He is the President. 

Mr Ndume, a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, made this statement in an interview with Channels TV on Thursday.

Mr Ndume’s outburst came in the wake of Boko Haram’s attack on Kuje prison in Abuja and jailbreak on Tuesday. 

Speaking after visiting the Kuje prison raid by the insurgents on Wednesday, Mr Buhari said he was shocked by the attack and disappointed in the nation’s national intelligence system a day after insurgents breached the federal prison, setting terrorists and other hardened criminals free.

“Saddened by the attack on the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje. I am disappointed with the intelligence system. How can terrorists organise, have weapons, attack a security installation and get away with it? I am expecting a comprehensive report on this shocking incident,” Mr Buhari said on Twitter.

Defence minister Bashir Magashi on Wednesday said the 64 Boko Haram suspects who escaped from the Kuje prison after the Tuesday night attack had yet to be recaptured.