Bandits locations known but accountability lacks in Nigeria security sector

Security analyst Kabiru Adamu has warned that Nigerian authorities know the locations and activities of bandits across the security sector, yet a lack of accountability remains a major obstacle. Speaking on a television program, Adamu argued that proper accountability could have prevented the current situation. He noted that security agencies are aware of the bandits’ physical presence and their business operations, citing the military’s identification of 60 bandit bases in 2019. However, there has been no clear report on how many of those bases have been destroyed, and Adamu questioned the military’s progress in neutralizing them between 2019 and 2023, especially since the current administration took office.

The analyst emphasized that the problem is not a shortage of information but a failure to hold security agencies accountable. He urged the National Assembly to strengthen its monitoring and oversight functions to address this gap. According to Adamu, if proper accountability and oversight had been in place, the violence could have been contained, creating space for other peace‑building measures to take effect.

The security situation in Nigeria has long been a concern, with banditry and other forms of insecurity affecting many regions. The lack of accountability and effective oversight has been identified as a major barrier to resolving 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 both effective and sustainable. In this context, the National Assembly’s role in providing oversight and ensuring accountability is crucial. By stepping up its monitoring and oversight functions, the legislature can help ensure that security agencies are held responsible for their actions and that initiatives to address insecurity achieve their intended results.

Ultimately, tackling Nigeria’s security challenges will require a sustained, collective effort from all stakeholders, including the government, security agencies, and civil society.