THE alarm raised by the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai, that bandits, taking advantage of the transition period as the presidential and governorship batons change hands, could launch deadly attacks across the country deserves concerted action. His call came amid a resurgence of assaults in several states by terrorists, bandits, and Fulani gunmen, after a noticeable lull during the just concluded general elections. These have resulted in the killing of scores of persons, injuries, arson, and further displacement of residents. As he steps down, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), should ensure a peaceful, orderly handover of power.
El-Rufai gave his alert during the presentation of a security situation report in Kaduna that indicated high casualties in 2022 and renewed onslaught by bandits and kidnappers in recent weeks. But swiftly, the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, issued a rebuttal, describing the alarm as “unnecessary.” DHQ spokesman, Musa Danmadami, a major-general, insisted that all was calm, and wondered why critical stakeholders “continue to make Nigerians more apprehensive.” Considering the reality, this is puerile. Written in blood and mayhem, recent violent acts support El-Rufai’s claim.
After a reduction during the elections, bandits and terrorists have resumed their bloody enterprise with attacks on communities, kidnappings, rape, and arson. Southern Kaduna has played an unwilling host to ferocious gunmen, including one assault last week where bandits stormed Runji village in Zango Kataf Local Government Area and killed about 20 people. The Chairman of the LG, Francis Sani, said 33 persons died, and seven others sustained injuries, while over 40 houses were burnt.
In Benue, about 75 persons have been murdered by Fulani gunmen in recent weeks. In various attacks in Zamfara, Niger and Kogi states, bandits killed a divisional police officer and two others in Maru LGA, Zamfara, and slaughtered scores of others, including security operatives in several communities in Niger.
On April 6, bandits besieged farms and a nearby forest in Wanzamai village, Zamfara, and kidnapped about 80 persons. On the same day, in Wamba LGA, Nasarawa State, Onje Gye-Wado, a former deputy governor of the state, was abducted by gunmen at his residence; they released him days later after a ransom was reportedly paid.
Also, this month, terrorists killed nine persons, including four vigilantes, in Sabon Layi community, Birnin Gwari LGA, Kaduna State. The Kaduna State government said between January and March this year, 308 persons were killed, 214 of them by terrorists, and 746 others kidnapped. Last week, more than 46 people in Umogidi village, Benue State, were killed by gunmen. After Fulani gunmen invaded an IDP camp in the Mgban LGA, 28 corpses were recovered, according to the Benue State police command.
Recent reports indicate attacks, kidnappings and killings in several states and successful neutralisation of terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers, and rescue of hostages by Army and police forces. Security forces killed 94 terrorists in the first quarter 2023 in Kaduna.
Police in Zamfara said their officers repelled a bandit attack in Tsafe LGA this month, killing two criminals, while others escaped with bullet wounds. In Enugu, Police arrested 26 cult gang members who had been staging gun battles in the state. Nigerian Army’s I Division, Kaduna, reported in March that its troops on clearance operations in Chikun LGA, Kaduna State, killed five bandits and recovered four AK 47 automatic rifles and assorted ammunition. A notorious bandit leader, Isiya Danwasa, and one other were killed in another operation, while troops of 8 Division, Sokoto, also in March neutralised 11 terrorists in Sokoto and Zamfara states.
An unspecified number of people have been reported killed and hundreds of houses burnt this month in Kogi State by gunmen in Aloko community, Dekina LGA. The Tiv Development Association In Nasarawa has reported recent attacks resulting in the deaths, injuries, and displacement against their people. Nine people were reportedly killed by Boko Haram terrorists in Buni Gari, Gujba LGA, Yobe State. Since after the elections,bandits have raided several communities in Abuja, Taraba, and Plateau states, killing many persons and wounding many others.
In the light of all this, instead of the reflexive denial by the DHQ, the police, intelligence services and the military should shift into high alert. It is well known that terrorists and insurgents the world over target transitions and public ceremonies to stage attacks. This was evident in Iraq, and Afghanistan.President Anwar Sadat was murdered during Egypt’s annual victory parade in Cairo in 1981. United States security agencies reacted to media and intelligence reports of possible attacks during the inauguration of Joe Biden in January 2021 by ramping up security.
Nigeria’s security services should similarly act responsibly, anticipate scenarios, step up security operations and neutralise terrorists and bandits before they are able to strike.
El-Rufai’s call for “sustained simultaneous ground and air kinetic actions across the seven frontline states of the North-West zone and Niger with contiguous forest ranges and are most heavily impacted by the security challenge,” should be acted upon. The governor had acknowledged the support of the Federal Government and the military and lauded both for their efforts; they should not be complacent.
The security agencies need to constantly adapt their anti-insurgency strategies to changing realities and learn from others. The US government’s ‘4D’ strategy – defeat, deny, diminish, and defend – places emphasis on containment and pre-emption. This makes intelligence gathering, human and signals, as the leading component. Israel and the Western countries seek primarily to neutralise bandits and terrorists before they are ever able to strike. Iraq has followed suit and succeeded in reducing attacks from about 200 per week to 60 per week.
European Union countries adopt anti-terrorism financing policies, stricter firearms control, digital tracking of suspected individuals, and external cooperation with other countries to counter terrorism.
Nigerian security operatives should also intensify community engagement, and rebuild citizens’ confidence in security agencies. On their part, state governors should remain alert, partner the federal security agencies, and strengthen regional, state-wide, and local security and vigilance agencies.
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