Why security agencies can’t bomb bandit enclaves – Presidential aide

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has revealed that security agencies are fully aware of the identities and locations of the bandit groups responsible for the recent mass abductions, including the assault on St Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in Niger State.

Onanuga made this revelation on Monday during an interview on ARISE News's program, Prime Time.

He stated that while security operatives possess the necessary intelligence, their operations are frequently hindered by the potential for collateral damage to civilians held by the bandits.

"The security personnel are aware of all the bandits operating in that area. They know them and their operational locations," he remarked.

Onanuga emphasized that the government cannot simply initiate airstrikes on the identified locations.

"Our citizens reside in proximity to where these bandits operate. Therefore, it is not feasible to act without caution. They must ensure that in their pursuit of these bandits, they do not inadvertently harm innocent Nigerians," he stated.

The presidential aide recalled a previous incident in Borno State where the military mistakenly targeted civilians.

"A few years ago in Borno State, the military, believing they had the correct satellite connection, ended up bombing the wrong individuals. They must prevent such errors from occurring again," he noted.

He added that there remains uncertainty regarding the precise number of abducted students, as neither the school nor the Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria has provided comprehensive records.

"Currently, the authorities are unaware of the actual number of individuals who are missing. You mentioned that students are unaccounted for—let us have their names. We need to know what we are searching for," he stated.

Onanuga also asserted that the school principal has "vanished," which complicates the verification process.

"For the security forces, it is quite unusual that they are not cooperating. What is their agenda?" he inquired.

He further elaborated on the reasons security forces do not act immediately.

“What sometimes restrains them from going after them is the risk of collateral damage. They go about abducting our people and use them as a shield so that they will not be attacked,” he said.

Onanuga added that the bandits understand the consequences of defying government pressure.

“They know that if they keep those people and refuse to release them, the next thing will be for the government to embark on a kinetic action and attack their base,” he said.

On the President’s directive redeploying officers from VIP protection to frontline duties, Onanuga said the measure would significantly improve security in vulnerable areas.

“I read today about 100,000 policemen guarding VIPs. If you share them out to vulnerable areas, that will make a lot of difference,” he said.

Responding to criticism from church leaders, Onanuga insisted that the administration recognises the seriousness of the current security situation.

“This government has never denied that Nigerians are being killed. We know we have problems, but we are making efforts to ensure that we stem all these things,” he said.

The presidential aide disclosed that the President is expected to address the nation soon following ongoing security consultations.
“I think he will do so very soon,” he said.