Amid Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, a prominent security expert, Amb. Abayomi Nurain Mumuni, on Thursday, called on the Federal Government to take swift action against individuals allegedly sympathising with terrorists under the guise of negotiation.

Mumuni, who made the call in a statement issued by his media aide, Rasheed Abubakar, decried the growing trend of self-styled negotiators who publicly associate with terror groups often referred to as “bandits”, saying that they may not have the country’s best interests at heart and could be exploiting public sympathy while emboldening terrorists.

The security expert warned that involving such sympathisers in peace negotiations is not only counterproductive but also poses a significant threat to Nigeria’s socio-political stability.

He urged both citizens and the government to remain vigilant and take a united stance against the evolving security threats facing the nation.

Mumuni identified several factors fueling terrorism in Nigeria, including financial motivations, political manipulation, social grievances, and links to organised crime.

According to him, addressing these root causes requires decisive government action and zero tolerance for any form of sympathy or support for criminal elements.

To effectively tackle the menace, Mumuni outlined five strategic steps the government must adopt, calling for the immediate arrest and prosecution of anyone posing as a mediator for terrorists, urging authorities to investigate their networks and affiliations thoroughly.

He emphasised the importance of boosting law enforcement capacity and public awareness, noting that well-trained security agencies and informed citizens are essential to combat terrorism and support national security efforts effectively.

The security expert called for collaborative partnerships among government bodies, civil society, and international partners to formulate a unified, effective counterterrorism strategy.

“The time for action is now. Nigerians deserve a safe and secure country. The government must demonstrate the will to confront terrorism by addressing both the criminals and their apologists. Only through decisive and sincere action can we build a safer future, ” he added.

In other news, a witness of the Department of State Service (DSS) on Wednesday told the Federal High Court in Abuja that Tukur Mamu, standing trial on alleged terrorism funding, was not at any time appointed by the Federal Government to negotiate with terrorists who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train in 2022.

The witness, who is an operative of DSS, said that Tukur sidelined the Chief of Defence Staff Committee, which was put in place to negotiate for the release of those abducted during the train attack.

Led in evidence by DSS lawyer, David Kaswe, the witness whose identity was not made public for security purposes said defendant “was not mandated by the government to engage in any form of investigation or negotiation with terrorists, but acted on his own for his personal benefit.”

The witness alleged that the defendant encouraged terrorists to discuss ransom payments with victims, collected money on their behalf, confirmed amounts, and “facilitated payments illegally.”

He further claimed that the defendant benefited financially from the ransom negotiations and possessed firearms unlawfully, and even provided terrorists with information on how to create a website.