Criticism has intensified over President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing visit to the United Kingdom, with opposition figures, security experts, and civil society voices questioning the timing of the trip following deadly attacks in Borno State.
The President, who travelled alongside First Lady Remi Tinubu and a delegation of senior officials, is in the UK for a high-profile state visit that includes engagements with King Charles III. The visit, described as a landmark diplomatic outing, marks the first of its kind by a Nigerian leader in nearly four decades.
However, the trip has drawn sharp reactions following coordinated bomb attacks in Maiduguri, which targeted multiple locations, including the Monday Market and areas near the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. The incidents reportedly left at least 23 people dead and over 100 injured, reigniting concerns about the fragile security situation in the region.
Critics Question Timing, Delegation Size
The National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Bolaji Abdullahi, described the President’s trip as ill-timed, stressing that key security officials should not be abroad during a national crisis.
He argued that while the visit may have been pre-scheduled, the scale of the attacks warranted an immediate return to Nigeria. Abdullahi also criticised the size of the delegation, which includes Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi, and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
Similarly, political figure Mukhtar Adnan said the President’s decision to proceed with the trip amid rising insecurity reflects a lack of empathy and misplaced priorities. He noted that the presence of top security officials in the delegation raises further concerns about the government’s commitment to addressing urgent threats at home.
Security Experts Weigh In
Offering a more measured perspective, retired Army Captain and security analyst Adamu Bokaji acknowledged that while the President’s physical presence during crises can boost morale and signal leadership, it is not a substitute for effective institutional response.
He described the situation in Borno as “serious and fragile,” warning that insurgent groups still retain the capacity to carry out attacks, particularly in vulnerable areas. Bokaji emphasised that long-term success depends on strengthening intelligence gathering, improving troop welfare, and enhancing coordination among security agencies.
Broader Reactions and Official Response
Prominent figures, including Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, alongside organisations such as Amnesty International, have also expressed concern over the attacks and the broader security landscape.
In response, the Presidency stated that President Tinubu had already directed security chiefs to relocate to Maiduguri to coordinate operations on the ground. The President condemned the attacks, describing them as desperate attempts by terrorist elements under pressure from Nigerian security forces.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has since visited victims of the attacks, alongside officials from the National Emergency Management Agency and other relevant bodies, assuring affected communities of government support and renewed efforts to combat terrorism.
Meanwhile, Borno State Deputy Governor Umaru Kadafur said calm has gradually returned to the state, urging residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies.
Diplomatic Goals Amid Domestic Pressure
Despite the backlash, the Presidency maintains that the UK visit is aimed at strengthening bilateral relations in areas such as trade, investment, immigration, and cultural exchange. The trip also includes planned talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
As the visit continues, the debate highlights the delicate balance between international diplomacy and domestic security priorities, particularly at a time of renewed insurgent activity in Nigeria’s northeast.
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