Public affairs commentator Barrister Darlington Agumuo has accused the Federal Government of using the fight against terrorism for political purposes, alleging that renewed military offensives against bandits are driven by electoral considerations rather than a sustained commitment to ending insecurity.
Mr Agumuo made the remarks on Monday while speaking on VOP This Morning, a programme on Voice of the People Television (VOP TV).
Questions timing of military operations
Commenting on recent military operations against bandits, including the reported killing of notorious bandit leader Kachala, Agumuo argued that the government’s renewed security efforts should have come much earlier.
He questioned why insecurity had persisted for years before the recent military successes.
“They are not even doing enough, not to talk of enough. They think they are doing this because election is around the corner. If not, why did you allow them to stay this long? We have been on this for 15 years now,” Mr Agumuo said.
Criticises negotiations with bandits
Mr Agumuo also criticised previous efforts by government officials to negotiate with armed groups, describing such engagements as inappropriate.
Referring to a past incident involving clerics sent to engage a notorious bandit leader, he argued that the episode undermined the authority of the Nigerian state.
“Government sent three clergymen to that man… and the terrorist said, ‘These 32 people I no longer need them, go and give these people to your government… and send my greetings to him.’ On Nigerian soil,” he said.
Faults de-radicalisation programme
The public affairs commentator further criticised the government’s de-radicalisation and rehabilitation programme for repentant insurgents, questioning its effectiveness.
According to him, individuals involved in terrorism should be held fully accountable under the law rather than being reintegrated into society without adequate justice for victims.
He argued that recent concerns expressed over the programme reflected broader questions about the country’s approach to tackling terrorism and violent extremism.
Mr Agumuo maintained that Nigeria requires a more decisive and consistent security strategy to combat terrorism, insisting that the fight against insecurity should remain a national priority irrespective of political timelines.
His comments come amid ongoing national debates over the effectiveness of government efforts to address banditry, terrorism and other violent crimes across the country.
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