Nigeria TV Info

Banditry, Its Politics, and Practitioners: The Growing Threat to National Security

Abuja — While President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared corruption “dead” in Nigeria, experts warn that insecurity, particularly banditry, continues to threaten the nation’s stability.

Banditry has emerged as one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing challenges, drawing armed groups from across West and Central Africa. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigerians paid ₦2.2 trillion ($1.41 billion) in ransom to bandits in the first year of the Tinubu administration, with half of this sum concentrated in the North-West.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) reports that in April 2025 alone, 570 Nigerians were killed in 378 kidnappings, primarily along highways and in rural farming communities. Bandits have become increasingly brazen, often boasting on social media and, in some cases, killing victims even after ransom payments. In March 2025, 35 out of 56 hostages taken in Banga Village, Kauran Namoda LGA, Zamfara State, were reportedly slaughtered despite ransom payments.

Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, claims he could eradicate banditry in his state within two months if given full authority over security agencies. “Wherever a bandit leader is in Zamfara State, I know it. With my phone, I can show you where they are today,” he said. However, he lamented the limits of his powers and the politicization of insecurity, which he said obstructs efforts to end the crisis.

Governor Lawal has also accused his predecessor and current Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, of complicity in banditry, allegations Matawalle denies. The dispute underscores tensions between state and federal authorities in addressing security challenges.

Analysts note that while banditry remains a lucrative criminal enterprise, a coherent national strategy has yet to emerge. Calls for emergency declarations and the removal of governors may not address the systemic issues. Experts argue that empowering communities to defend themselves and securing rural areas may be the most immediate and effective response.

As Nigeria celebrates the proclaimed “end of corruption,” citizens continue to face daily threats from armed groups, highlighting that the fight for national security remains far from over.