Despite security effort, Nigeria not safe, secure yet – Adamu Bakoji
Nigeria’s Security Situation: Improvements and Challenges Persist, Expert Says
A security expert has acknowledged recent improvements in Nigeria’s security landscape but asserts that the country is not fully secure.
Abdullahi Bokaji Adamu, a retired Army Captain and Country Director of the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC), made these comments in an exclusive interview with DAILY POST. His remarks come in response to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent speech marking the third anniversary of his administration, during which the president highlighted positive developments in certain regions.
President Tinubu stated that ongoing military operations and reforms are bearing fruit, particularly in areas with intensified efforts against terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers.
Adamu clarified that while some regions may indeed be experiencing relative safety, significant security challenges persist. “It is possible for both statements to be true at the same time. Certain areas have seen enhanced military and police presence, and some criminal leaders have been neutralized. However, serious insecurity remains,” he said.
He noted that kidnappings for ransom continue to plague many parts of the North-West and North-Central regions, while rural communities remain vulnerable to attacks by armed groups. Farmers, herders, and travelers also face ongoing threats, complicating the declaration of overall security.
“While Nigeria has seen some security gains, it cannot yet be described as fully secure,” Adamu stated, emphasizing that improvements vary significantly between states.
Regarding the capabilities of security agencies in combating banditry, Adamu expressed confidence that modern organizations possess the tools necessary for intelligence gathering and tracking criminal networks. “They have intelligence capabilities, surveillance technology, and community informants. In many cases, security forces can identify bandit camps and routes,” he said.
Despite this, he noted that completely eradicating banditry presents considerable challenges. Criminal groups often operate in difficult terrains, and issues such as community informants, weak border controls, poverty, and inadequate prosecution rates complicate the situation.
Adamu advocates for a multifaceted approach to address insecurity. “With stronger political will, better intelligence coordination, and sustained operations, banditry can be significantly reduced to the point where it is no longer a major national threat,” he said.
He emphasized that the focus must extend beyond simply locating criminals to include their arrest, prosecution, and disrupting their funding sources. “Addressing the underlying social and economic conditions that fuel recruitment is also critical,” he added.
He concluded by reflecting on the mixed progress in Nigeria’s security efforts, stating, “While there are signs of improvement, the ongoing threat of kidnappings and bandit attacks demonstrates that more work lies ahead.”
Former Chief of Army Staff, retired Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, also weighed in on the issue, stating that security agencies possess the capability to track criminals. He acknowledged potential operational delays and called for continuous enhancements within the security system.
