Tinubu’s Cycle of Grief and Threats: When Will Action Match Words?

ABUJA — A Punch Newspapers analysis has drawn attention to what it calls President Tinubu’s recurring cycle of grief and threats following security attacks. The analysis, published over the weekend, argues that the pattern of presidential condemnation, promises of retribution, and eventual silence without sustained accountability mirrors that of his predecessors.

The analysis documents multiple incidents from 2024 and 2025 in which Tinubu personally directed security agencies to act swiftly after attacks. Each time, the presidential directive generated media coverage and public reassurance. In most cases, updates on outcomes have been absent or incomplete.

After the Oriire school abductions, Tinubu condemned the attack and pledged that abductors would face justice. He then approved the recruitment of 1,000 Forest Guards. After the Yobe army school attack that killed 17 police officers, he expressed outrage and directed security responses. The pattern repeats across incident after incident.

When Words Must Become Action

The Punch analysis acknowledged genuine security wins including the killing of ISIS commander al-Minuki and the court martial of coup plotters. It said these achievements show the system can work when resources and political will are applied consistently. The question is why consistency is rare.

Security experts quoted in the analysis said the core problem is that Nigeria treats security crises reactively rather than proactively. There is no sustained investment in community intelligence networks, no functioning early warning systems in vulnerable areas, and no political accountability for security commanders who fail in their responsibilities.

The 1,000 Forest Guards approved after Oriire is the latest example of reactive policy. Security experts said it is a welcome step but questions remain: how will the guards be recruited, trained, equipped, supervised, and held accountable? Without answers to these questions, the announcement risks becoming another promise that fails in implementation.