Security Expert Slams Lack of Accountability in Fight Against Banditry

A security analyst, Kabiru Adamu, has criticised Nigeria’s security agencies for failing to effectively tackle the persistent threat of banditry, despite possessing intelligence on the perpetrators’ identities and activities.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Programme Morning Brief on Friday, on the ongoing insecurity in the North-West, Adamu affirmed that security operatives are well aware of the locations, identities, and even businesses of notorious bandits, including the widely known Bello Turji.

“Everyone who knows his onion within the security space knows where the bandits are. Apart from their physical presence, we have knowledge of their businesses,” Adamu stated.

He backed Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal’s recent remarks, which pointed to the government’s knowledge of the criminals’ operations, describing the governor’s claims as “correct.”

However, Adamu said the real problem lies in the lack of accountability within the nation’s security architecture.

“As far back as 2019, 60 of these bandits were identified by the military. The military should explain to Nigerians how many of these faces were discreet from 2019 to 2023 when this government came in. How many of those faces have been destroyed till now?” he queried.

The security analyst emphasised that the issue is not a lack of intelligence, but rather an absence of decisive and accountable action by security forces.

“The challenge is that we are not holding those within the security apparatus accountable. Two months is enough to contain the violence, if not eradicate it completely,” Adamu asserted.