Banditry has become the biggest threat in Nigeria, pushing aside the title hitherto held by Boko Haram and Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP).
The takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban has raised further concerns that bandits in Africa’s most populous nation may be nursing an agenda to also dethrone civil authority. The fears are being fuelled by Taliban’s vow to impose Islamic law worldwide. Analysts believe the movement may reach out to armed groups in other countries to actualize their plan of global control. Only a few could have predicted that apart from the North-East, there would be daily news of killings, kidnapping of traditional heads, businessmen and locals, invasion of schools, attacks on farmers, security agents and government officials. Excluding suicide bombings, bandits seem to be hustling to achieve in five years, what took their terror colleagues one decade to attain. The fact that they don’t have gun trucks but carry out coordinated attacks with their motorcycles confirms their ruthlessness. On July 15, bandits murdered Major General Hassan Ahmed, a former Provost Marshal of the Nigerian Army. His vehicle was ambushed at the Abaji area of Abuja while returning to the nation’s capital from Okene in Kogi State.
Ahmed was with his driver and sister, Safina. The latter was kidnapped and freed after 13 days in captivity. Millions of Naira was paid to secure her release ahead of the deadline, a source close to the family disclosed. Ahmed was with his driver and sister, Safina. The latter was kidnapped and freed after 13 days in captivity. Millions of Naira was paid to secure her release ahead of the deadline, a source close to the family disclosed.
On July 18, bandits shot a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet aircraft returning from an air interdiction mission between Kaduna and Zamfara. Luckily, the pilot, Flight Lieutenant Abayomi Dairo survived. NAF confirmed the incident after an initial denial.
In late July, intelligence revealed that bandits were migrating from Zamfara State to Borno State for joint drills with Boko Haram/ISWAP elements
In a circular with reference number NIS/HQ/CGI/943, the Nigeria Immigration Service commanded comptrollers to intensify surveillance.
On August 24, bandits attacked the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA)
campus in Afaka, Kaduna, the first ever. Lieutenant Commander Wulah and Flight Lieutenant CM Okoronkwo were killed, Second Lieutenant Onah wounded, and Major Datong kidnapped.
The salient question Nigerians are asking is: How did bandits dominate the states in North-Central and North-West? They wonder how hundreds of outlaws got so emboldened to strike at will in a country with a large armed force.
According to a popular narrative, ahead of the 2015 general elections, a number of mercenaries were brought in by politicians desperate for victory. After the polls, the fighters remained and allocated territories to themselves by establishing camps. But the federal government insists most bandits are not Nigerians. In February, Information Minister, Lai Mohammed blamed the ECOWAS Protocols on free movement of humans and cattle. He said that the Buhari administration is working towards amendment.
Banditry, insurgency and terrorism are linked, a legal practitioner, Festus Ogun said. He told Oksh POST that it would be insincere to code-name terrorism as banditry.
But the federal government insists most bandits are not Nigerians. In February, Information Minister, Lai Mohammed blamed the ECOWAS Protocols on free movement of humans and cattle. He said that the Buhari administration is working towards amendment.
Banditry, insurgency and terrorism are linked, a legal practitioner, Festus Ogun said. He told Oksh POST that it would be insincere to code-name terrorism as banditry. Shutdowns generate a wide variety of harms to human rights, economic activities, public safety and emergency services that outweigh the purported benefits.
.jpeg)
0 Comments