• Demands meeting of region’s leaders to halt bandits’ infiltration
• HURIWA decries failure of intelligence agencies to tackle B’Haram financing
• Stakeholders fault CDS’ plea for UN-led investigation
• Tinubu directs probe into killing of soldiers in Army base

The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, yesterday called on South-West governors to prioritise security considering recent revelations about bandits infiltrating the region.

The call followed a disclosure by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, during the 2025 interfaith service for workers at the Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, on January 6. Makinde revealed that bandits dislodged from the North-West by military operations were relocating to his state.

“During a security briefing this morning, I learned that some bad elements from the North-West are relocating here due to military heat in their zones,” the governor stated.

Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Makinde recounted a personal encounter during his birthday retreat at Fashola near Oyo Alaafin in December:

“Bandits had camped less than two kilometres from where I was staying. This underscores the seriousness of the situation.”

Afenifere, in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, described the governor’s revelation as alarming and urged immediate action by South-West leaders .

“This disclosure from the Chief Security Officer of a state is not something to be treated lightly,” Afenifere said. The group called for an urgent meeting of South-West governors to devise strategies to expel the bandits and prevent further infiltration.

“For these objectives to be achieved, it is crucial to involve security agencies, traditional rulers, and local vigilantes known as ‘Ode,’” the statement added.

Ajayi emphasised the importance of equipping security operatives with modern tools, offering attractive incentives, and deploying technology to detect and neutralise bandits’ hideouts.

He also urged traditional rulers and community leaders to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities.

“For example, until the governor made the revelation on Monday, such grave security danger was unknown to the public. Yet, there are people living in Fashola where the bandits established a camp. Similar camps might exist elsewhere in the South-West, necessitating urgent and effective action,” Ajayi concluded.

This came as a renowned security scholar at the University of Ibadan (UI), Prof. Olawale Albert, and another security lecturer at the Department of Criminology and Security Studies, Lead City University, Ibadan, Oladayo Ayoola, yesterday faulted the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa’s call on the United Nations (UN) to investigate Boko Haram financing and training.

Musa had highlighted the failure of Nigerian intelligence agencies to trace and disrupt Boko Haram’s funding and training networks over the past 15 years. In a recent interview with Al-Jazeera, he called for a UN-led investigation into the global flow of funds to the insurgents, suggesting that international conspiracies may be aiding their financial and operational sustainability.

Reacting to the call, Albert said such a call would create the misleading impression that the Nigerian security system lacks the requisite capacity.

The professor said: “General Christopher Musa is one Nigerian military officer I have a lot of respect for. But I disagree with him on this very one asking the UN to help Nigeria investigate the funding and training of Boko Haram terrorists. This creates the misleading impression that the Nigerian security system lacks the requisite capacity.

“Let’s address the funding issue. Musa said the terrorists captured are always with substantial foreign currencies. Are they dumb and deaf during interrogation to say where they got the money from? What is the job of the Department of State Services (DSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), the Nigerian Police Force Intelligence Bureau, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA)? Can none of them do what we ask the UN to do for us? What did we do with the intelligence provided by our neighbours (Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin Republic)?

“The UAE once provided us with a list of those funding Boko Haram. Where is the list, and what did we do about it? What did we do with the intelligence the rest of the world provided? Our problem is a lack of readiness to use the available intelligence to keep the country safe. The UN is busier than being dragged into this wild goose chase. There are many Resolutions of the UN Security Council on terror funding. We should read and act on them as expected of all Member States.”

On his part, Oladayo Ayoola said: “It is not the mandate of the UN to do that, but we need to tidy up our home. We need to look inwards rather than play to the gallery. Nigeria has a lot to do.”

Adding his voice, another security scholar at UI, Prof. Oyesoji Aremu, said the call showed the limitations of Nigeria as a country, which ought to have been addressed by the presidency.

Aremu said: “Funding of terrorism is a widely known issue, especially in large-scale asymmetric warfare. It is also referred to as terrorist financing. Mostly, it is in support of big organisations promoting terrorism. The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), given his vantage position and intelligence at his disposal, is correct.

“However, terrorism financing may not necessarily be in the provision of either local or foreign currencies. It also includes the mass supply of arms and ammunition and logistics (which include surveillance services).

“This was also made known by the CDS. His call on the United Nations to probe the sources of the funding, however, shows our limitations as a country, which ought to have been addressed by the presidency.

“It is also very sad, inferring from the statement credited to the CDS, that the war against terrorism is far from being over, technically or otherwise.

“And again, the truer fact is that more splinter groups are coming up, arising from crises in the Middle East and Sahel Region; and, of course, because of the seemingly cold bilateral relationship with countries like Niger, Chad, and Mali. This makes our territorial borders more difficult to secure.”

Similarly, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) expressed deep concern over Musa’s revelations.

HURIWA described the situation as a damning indictment of the country’s intelligence agencies and a troubling failure to justify their substantial budgets.

The rights group criticised the paradox of a nation with established intelligence institutions unable to prevent financial and logistical support for terrorist groups. It noted that agencies like the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI), the Department of State Services, and the Nigerian Intelligence Agency have clearly defined mandates but have failed to stop the group’s activities.

HURIWA, through its national coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, noted that the DMI handles military intelligence, the DSS focuses on internal security and counterterrorism, and the NIA is tasked with foreign intelligence operations. It said, together, these agencies should form a comprehensive intelligence network capable of countering Boko Haram. It lamented that yet, insurgents continue to thrive, even using advanced technologies like drones.

The group raised concerns over possible corruption, inefficiencies, and lack of accountability within these institutions, urging a thorough audit of their operations. HURIWA also questioned whether the significant funds allocated to these agencies are being effectively utilised.

General Musa’s remarks on challenges in procuring military equipment further highlighted systemic issues, HURIWA noted, suggesting that bottlenecks may stem from bureaucratic inefficiencies or external sabotage.

While recognising the value of international cooperation, the group criticised the government’s reliance on external interventions, such as the proposed UN investigation, to address internal security challenges.

HURIWA reiterated its call for accountability and urged Nigerians to demand better governance and oversight of the country’s security apparatus.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu yesterday ordered a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding last Saturday’s dawn attack on an army base in Sabon Gidan, Damboa, which claimed the lives of six soldiers.

Commiserating with the military over the loss, President Tinubu also directed authorities to probe the incident further and ensure it serves as a valuable lesson to prevent future occurrences.

He commended the armed forces for their swift and decisive response, particularly the air component, which carried out effective retaliatory strikes. These targeted air raids significantly neutralised numerous terrorists and destroyed their assets as they attempted to flee.

The President urged the military to proactively take the fight to the camps of bandits and terrorists, with particular emphasis on the Northwest, where criminals continue to threaten the lives and homes of innocent villagers.

He remarked: “This resolute action by the Army demonstrates the capability and readiness of our military to confront and defeat threats to our nation’s security. Their actions testify to our resolve to eradicate terrorism and banditry, paving the way for a future where peace and security prevail for all Nigerians.

“I extend heartfelt gratitude and sympathy to our military and security forces on behalf of a grateful nation.

“Your sacrifices and dedication do not go unnoticed, and we stand firmly behind you in this ongoing fight to eliminate these threats.”

Extending condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers, President Tinubu, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, assured that the men who sacrificed their lives in defending the nation would forever be honoured and remembered.

He also appealed to Nigerians and the media to support the military’s efforts to restore peace and security across the country.