A security analyst, Kabiru Adamu, has stated that Nigerian authorities are aware of the whereabouts of bandits and their activities across the security sector, but lack of accountability remains a significant challenge. Speaking on a television program, Adamu explained that with proper accountability in place, the current situation could have been avoided.

According to Adamu, the security agencies have knowledge of the bandits’ physical presence and their business activities. He cited the example of the military identifying 60 bandit bases in 2019, but there has been no clear report on how many of those bases have been destroyed. Adamu questioned the military’s progress in neutralizing these bases between 2019 and 2023, particularly since the current administration took office.

The analyst emphasized that the problem is not a lack of information, but rather a failure to hold security agencies accountable. He urged the National Assembly to enhance its monitoring and oversight functions to address this issue. Adamu believes that if proper accountability and oversight had been in place, the violence could have been contained, creating space for other peacebuilding measures to take effect.

The security situation in Nigeria has been a longstanding concern, with banditry and other forms of insecurity affecting many parts of the country. The lack of accountability and effective oversight has been identified as a major obstacle to addressing these challenges. Adamu’s comments highlight the need for greater transparency and accountability in the security sector to ensure that efforts to combat insecurity are effective and sustainable.

The National Assembly’s role in providing oversight and ensuring accountability is crucial in this context. By stepping up its monitoring and oversight functions, the legislature can help to ensure that security agencies are held accountable for their actions and that efforts to address insecurity are effective. Ultimately, addressing the security challenges facing Nigeria will require a sustained and collective effort from all stakeholders, including the government, security agencies, and civil society.