Why Security Forces Can’t Directly Attack Bandits — Onanuga.

Bayo Onanuga.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, has clarified why security operatives are unable to launch direct attacks on bandits terrorising northern Nigeria. 

Speaking on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’ programme, Onanuga said security agencies know exactly where the bandits operate but are constrained by the risk of causing civilian casualties.

He explained that since bandits often hide among innocent people, security forces must be extremely cautious to avoid collateral damage during their operations. His comments come amid a recent wave of violent raids on communities and schools in the region.

Onanuga recalled the harrowing incident at Christ Apostolic Church in Kwara State, where 38 worshippers were abducted and some lost their lives. President Tinubu later announced the successful rescue of all the hostages. He also mentioned the abduction of over 200 students from a Catholic school in Niger State, with about 50 pupils escaping to safety.

He stressed that security personnel must act with restraint to prevent mistakenly targeting innocent civilians. Onanuga referred to a prior incident in Borno where the military struck the wrong location based on faulty intelligence, causing casualties among non-combatants.

He emphasised that the military must balance the urgent need to tackle banditry with the responsibility to protect ordinary Nigerians from harm during operations.