A security expert has said that while Nigeria has recorded some improvements in security in recent years, the country cannot be described as fully secure.
Abdullahi Bokaji Adamu, a retired Army Captain and the Country Director of the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) stated this in an exclusive interview with Newspot while reacting to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s third anniversary speech.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu had said that security conditions were improving in some parts of the country, noting that ongoing military operations and reforms were beginning to yield results, especially in areas where troops have intensified operations against terrorists, bandits and kidnappers.
Reacting, Adamu said both realities can exist at the same time.
“It is possible for both statements to be true at the same time. Some regions may indeed be safer than they were three years ago,” he said.
He noted that several highways once known for kidnappings now have increased military and police presence, while some terrorist and bandit leaders have been neutralised.
“Certain communities that were previously inaccessible have experienced relative stability,” he added.
However, he stressed that serious security challenges remain across the country.
“At the same time, serious insecurity remains. Kidnappings for ransom continue in many parts of the North-West and North-Central. Rural communities still report attacks by bandits and armed groups,” he said.
He further explained that farmers, herders and travellers continue to face threats in many areas, making it difficult to declare the country fully secure.
“Therefore, the more accurate assessment is that Nigeria has recorded some security gains, but the country cannot yet be described as fully secure. Security improvements are uneven and vary from state to state,” Adamu said.
On whether security agencies can locate bandits and end the crisis, the IHRC director said modern security institutions have the capacity to gather intelligence and track criminal networks.
“Modern security agencies possess intelligence gathering capabilities, surveillance technology, informants and community intelligence networks, as well as military air and ground assets,” he said.
He added that in many cases, security forces are able to identify bandit camps, routes, financiers and collaborators.
However, he explained that completely ending banditry is more complex.
“Criminal groups operate across vast forests and difficult terrain. There are allegations of informants within communities and institutions. Weak border controls allow movement of weapons and fighters. Poverty and unemployment make recruitment easier, while prosecution and conviction rates are often inadequate,” he said.
Despite these challenges, Adamu said banditry can be significantly reduced if the right steps are taken.
“With stronger political will, better intelligence coordination, improved accountability and sustained operations, banditry can be drastically reduced to a level where it is no longer a major national threat,” he said.
He emphasised that tackling insecurity goes beyond locating criminals.
“The key issue is not only locating bandits; it is also arresting and prosecuting them, disrupting their sources of funding, stopping arms supplies, protecting vulnerable communities and addressing the social and economic conditions that fuel recruitment,” he added.
“In summary, I would say: there is evidence of security improvement in some regions, but the persistence of kidnappings and bandit attacks shows that much more remains to be done. And while security agencies can often locate bandit networks, ending banditry requires a comprehensive and sustained national effort, not just military action alone,” he added.
Recall that former Chief of Army Staff, retired Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, in a recent interview with TVC said security agencies have the ability to track criminals.
“I don’t think they fail to locate. If they can locate ordinary citizens or social media influencers, I don’t believe they cannot locate these bandits,” he said.
He, however noted that there may be operational reasons behind delays in responding to criminal activities and called for continuous improvement within the system.
