Falling Stars: Open Letter to NSA Ribadu Demands Urgent Security Overhaul
An Abuja-based writer and activist, Dr. Emman Usman Shehu, has raised serious concerns over the rising number of senior Nigerian military officers killed in recent operations, calling for urgent reforms in the country’s security architecture.
In an open letter addressed to the National Security Advisor (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Shehu described the trend as a “national emergency,” warning that the continued loss of experienced commanders reflects deeper systemic failures rather than isolated incidents.
He noted that while the Office of the NSA remains a hub of high-level intelligence and strategy, the realities on the ground in conflict zones such as Borno and Zamfara paint a troubling picture marked by ambushes, equipment failures, and intelligence lapses.
Citing the recent killing of Brigadier General Oseni Omoh Braimah and several soldiers in Benisheikh, Borno State, on April 9, Shehu said the incident underscores a growing pattern of targeted attacks on senior officers.
According to him, Nigeria’s military continues to demonstrate courage, but bravery alone is insufficient in the face of evolving threats. He argued that insurgents and criminal networks have adapted, exploiting predictable troop movements and, in some cases, benefiting from insider information within security institutions.
“The fifth column is no longer a theory but a present danger,” he stated, warning that compromised intelligence is turning military convoys into vulnerable targets.
The letter further highlighted concerns over aging and unreliable military hardware, including aircraft and armoured vehicles, which he said have contributed to fatalities during operations. He stressed that failures in procurement, maintenance, and accountability must be addressed.
Shehu also pointed to what he described as an “Abuja disconnect,” where strategies formulated at the top fail to reflect the realities of asymmetric warfare on the ground. He warned that insurgents increasingly target high-ranking officers for symbolic and strategic impact.
To address the crisis, the writer proposed three key measures: a comprehensive counter-intelligence purge to eliminate internal collaborators; improved transport and operational security for military personnel; and the adoption of technology-driven command systems, including drones and real-time intelligence tools.
He emphasized that the loss of senior officers represents not only human casualties but also the erosion of institutional knowledge and leadership capacity within the armed forces.
“The stars on an officer’s shoulders represent decades of investment and sacrifice. Losing them at this rate is unacceptable,” he said.
Shehu concluded by urging the NSA to move beyond rhetoric and implement decisive reforms, warning that continued inaction could further weaken the country’s security framework.
