Stakeholders in northern Nigeria have applauded President Bola Tinubu’s directive to the military to end banditry and insecurity by the end of 2025, describing it as a necessary step toward restoring peace and stability.
The Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, who announced the directive recently, assured that the military would sustain its aggressive operations against criminal elements.
“The bandits are now on the run, but the military will not rest until we end this thing. The president has given us marching orders to end insecurity in every part of our country by the end of this year.
“The Chief of Defence Staff and the National Security Adviser are working day and night to actualize that target. As you have seen, we are putting pressure on all the theatre operations,” Badaru said.
Citizens across the North-East and North-West welcomed the development, stating that insecurity remains a major obstacle to progress, particularly in food security and economic activities.
A Borno-based farmer, Abubakar Ibrahim, said the presidential order gave hope for a return to normalcy. He stressed the need for a massive military push to clear insurgents from the Lake Chad region, which is crucial for all-year-round farming.
“We are happy a deadline of December is given. There’s always a need for a timetable to get things done. Rehabilitation, reconstruction, and resettlement programmes are ongoing in Borno, but we still face challenges from remnants of terrorists that need to be cleared,” Ibrahim said.
In Adamawa, former Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Ahmad Sajoh, also commended the presidential order, emphasizing its potential to restore economic activities.
“It is indeed very comforting to hear the Commander-in-Chief issue a direct order to the troops. Flushing out bandits has multiple benefits, including the restoration of productive activities such as farming and trading. That is the real import of the President’s directives.
“While expressing total support for this bold decision, it is also necessary to advise that the President should equally give another directive for the non-kinetic component of the fight against banditry and insurgency. A robust public enlightenment campaign should accompany this renewed onslaught,” Sajoh said.
In Zamfara, residents of Shinkafi Local Government, including Salisu Tunga and Aminu Bello, praised recent military gains but urged for intensified operations.
“Bandits are still harassing some communities in Shinkafi, raising the need for more intense military operations to complete the job. Up to now, travellers need military escort in areas like Dansadau, Magami, Dangulbi, Zurmi, Kauran Namoda, Shinkafi, Moriki, Maradun, and Maru,” Tunga said.
He further lamented that some communities in Tsafe, Zurmi, and Bukkuyum LGAs were still being forced to pay levies to bandits, stressing the need for decisive action.
In Kebbi, the Deputy Governor, Sen. Umar Tafida, confirmed that bandits were infiltrating from neighbouring states and Niger Republic but assured that security measures were in place to counter the threats.
The Director in charge of Security at the Kebbi Cabinet Office, Alhaji AbdulRahman Usman, highlighted significant progress in securing the state.
“They used to attack Argungu, Augie, and Arewa Local Government Areas but have been chased away and dealt with,” Usman said.
In Sokoto, Special Adviser on Security Matters to Governor Ahmad Aliyu, Col. Ahmad Usman (Rtd), described the presidential order as timely, noting that military operations were yielding results.
“Many terrorist enclaves were identified and destroyed, with several bandits neutralized. Hundreds of kidnapped victims are also being rescued in the ongoing operations,” he said.
With the military intensifying its offensive, residents remain hopeful that the December deadline will bring an end to the scourge of banditry and pave the way for lasting peace.
