The Presidency has finally addressed the growing public concerns over why security agencies are unable to launch direct strikes on bandit groups across Northern Nigeria.
The clarification came from Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy.
He spoke during an appearance on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Monday.
Onanuga explained that security operatives are fully aware of the locations where many of the bandit cells operate.
However, according to him, the challenge is not lack of intelligence but the danger of acting hastily.
He noted that most of the bandits hide within local communities and they live close to ordinary citizens, making any sudden military strike extremely risky.
Onanuga stressed that this situation limits the freedom of security operatives to strike first.
He warned that an attack carried out without proper separation between civilians and criminals could lead to massive casualties.
Reacting to questions on recent attacks, he said:
“The security personnel must act carefully to avoid harming citizens.”
He recalled a previous incident in the North-East where a wrong target was hit during a counter-terror operation.
According to him, that mistake remains a strong reminder that caution is necessary.
He added:
“Something happened in Borno last time when the military thought they had the location of the terrorists only to bomb the wrong people.
They need to be very careful so that in the course of looking for these bandits, they don’t go and bomb innocent Nigerians.”
His comments follow a disturbing wave of fresh violence in the North.
In Kwara State, bandits stormed Christ Apostolic Church and kidnapped 38 worshippers.
Some victims were killed during the attack.
President Tinubu later announced that all 38 abductees had been rescued.
In another incident, more than 200 students were seized from a Catholic private school in Niger State. Fifty of the children managed to escape and were reunited with their families.
Security agencies continue to face pressure as communities deal with renewed fear and uncertainty.
Are there sponsors also living among civilians? Is the presidency ignorant of who they are ? They are jokers. Unserious elements.
Useless human being. Look at what a delusional human being is saying.
Oga diz one no be excuse, hitting wrong target & terroist living within civilians are two different senarioes. By the way any civilian living comfortable with terroist is also a terroist. This name bandits dat our govt. are nw calling terroist i dont understand, our govt. is a govt. of particular concern….!
This is not the kind of excuses Nigerians are expecting to hear, something is just not right. I think these bandits are been shielded by the high and might. A community that accommodates bandits are also in support of terrorism, government should do more enough of these excuses.
Unnecessary excuses. Who is your Defense Minister? One of them. You guys are not serious
A failed government looking for excuses, military don’t strike bandits to safeguard civilians and they do nothing to prevent and they leave innocent citizens ( both captured and non captured) forever in the hands of these terrorists for this nonsense excuse that no hold ground. God will surely judge you liars who see us like less humans
You have said it all !! , The government have shown them there weak point, so what is the next move?
The Tinubu government is telling Nigerian that no matter the numbers Fulani terrorists kills, abducted, raped or maim there will never be repercussions on them because they are the owners of Nigeria. That’s why the innocent Nigerian masses are calling president Trump to send his army to rescue us from Fulanis in Nigeria
But you clear forest in the east just to fight freedom fighters (IPOB)
You destroy entire community, render families homeless because you’re fighting innocent freedom fighters ( IPOB)
You kill innocent people without consideration , destroy properties.
Evil sentimental , genocide government.
Ononuga just said the government is aware of their locations, so why hit the wrong location when you know where they are?
Please sir, do the right thing, no reason is tenable people innocent life’s are wasted everyday.
Usman Dan fodio well-done
I don’t believe this cooked stories
Take them out one one after the other, sniper method
What is wrong with u people of the nation pls. Less make all efort to stop this .
The most idiot among them all has spoken.. Empty brain fool look at ur speech and ur safe… U are safe guiding citizen that is why u avoiding attacking them.. I fact u have question to answer.
But who are those sponsors, why can’t you finish them in the first place? You people are doing politics with the blood of your citizens. Allah ya isa!
Haba, Bayo
Who put these words in your mouth?
Do you now take all of us for MUMU?
Was that the same reason why none of the identified SPONSORS are carefully spared?
Was that why most of the ARRESTED murderers were termed REPENTANT
and subsequently REHABILITATED and even absorbed into the military?
This your comment will hunt you even after your demise.
Mr onanuga you are talking rubbish, you said they know where they are and you are still saying they hit the wrong target thinking it was them . Can’t they pass information across the innocent people living around to vacate even if for one week for them to do proper and accurate striking without any innocent life affected . Failed government
Rubbish
The best way to eliminate issues of banditry and terrorism in Nigeria is to allow U.S to use their computers and scientistifical knowledge and experience to wipe out all these people out of our nation Nigeria
When Army went to Ekwuma community in Delta state to level that community, burnt down everything in search of few people who killed army officers they forget those guys where living with the people, today a govt is making excuses not to attack terrorist. Useless set of leaders
The problem of you devilish politician is that you people take all Nigerians to be fool meanwhile you people are the fools, how can u wake up to tell us such a nonsense, while are people carrying genocides on the innocent people of South East, executing innocent young men and women in the region, and u claim to know the exact location of bandits in the North only come out telling us u might bomb innocent people? Is it innocent people u know there location or bandits? Your intelligence can’t different civilians location?
This type statement is irritating, and show lack of integrity. Why only in Nigeria that the military would hit a wrong target. Our Nigerian leaders the way they came out to defend military is annoying why not the military come out to defend themselves instead of Government defending them? I hope is not conspiracy against innocent Nigerias.
This is a useless excuse from a useless government.
Either those people comments above agree with his view or not all I can say is we should trust the government and his efforts, in a situation where distrust is from citizens and government those are likely result expected where community harbor criminal live happily with them and situation lead to civilian casualties…my question is for those comments ignorantly about the presidency spokesman is saying if happen to one of your relatives or siblings you people will change tone and says another thing. We should all pray for this country to overcome this menace rocking our dear country for decades
When in a village in the Delta state area were killed, the entire village was ransacked and people arrested, even their village head. Why can’t same measure be used in those areas where bandits and terrorists are hiding since you people know where they are.
Something is not right in this your answer, it appears the government is playing with the life of the citizen. With your answer you have now tell the bandits that they cannot be apprehended as long as they live amongst the people.
Omo dis wan na dumb excuse
I dey sure sey if bandit kpai any of Una people
This story will not be the same
This is pure balablu bulaba blu blu. I hope y’all have a pinch of what these victims are going through. How did we get here
What a Disgraced country with Clueless government led by Tinubu. Atleast he has seen that Jonathan’s government is more proactive to insecurities, banditry, Boko Haram and ISWAP. What goes around comes around. Tinubu was busy calling Jonathan’s regime all sorts of names. Now, he’s in power but remains powerless to protect the innocent citizens. Indeed, we’re a Disgraced country.
What are they saying dose it means we can attack back this terrorists
Callous statement from a heartless and useless he goats because you guys are all terrorists ruling this country that is the reason you can’t fight your accomplice and your associates but you prefer innocent and helpless poor Nigerians dying in their thousands on a daily basis.
God is watching you fools and wicked elements.
The military should kill everyone that associates and lives with the bandits because are all bandits.police always arrest people associating with thieves so why is bandits case exceptional
The deceit of the jihadist, we know them. When the first started they identified them as Boko Haram. When the discovered that international law will come after them, the same people now changed their name to bandicts and terrorist. Why is it that no Christan is a bandict or terrorist. No Christan knows their hide out in the forest or visited them or negotiate on their behalf except gumi and co. The govt.is not sincere by this statement. Do they mean that their so called bandicts and terrorist will continue for ever, hence the have no solution. Is there any problem that do not have a solution? If govt.like protect them,change their name from jihadist to terrorist to save, hide or cover religion face from it. Nothing is hidden under the sun. No name can save them again, jihadist, terrorist or bandicts, the mighty hand of God is using the world police against them.
So, the bandits travel with the local people when they mobilize/travel several kilometers, to attack?
Haba! Oga, Nigerians have grown beyond this basal skit formula.
What a useless government
If only you know the pain this bandit have caused so many people in this country you will stop playing politics and do the right thing, There is no place in the world today that thing like this is happening very corrupt leaders and zero fear of God.
That’s no excuse at all. Nigeria defense don’t act intelligently at all.
Are they trying to tell us that as long as the terrorists keep hiding among civilians nothing can be done to terminate them?
It’s only a shameless government can come out to say this kind of rubbish.
Mumu man,we all know that bandit and other terrorist is owned by FG,fuk your Ass hole
Many Nigerians are very dishonest, selfish and wicked. It looks like some of those people in government are thinking from their anus.
Odi in River State was invaded and burnt, Zaki Biam in Benue state was invaded by the Nigerian army. Nnadi Kalu was kidnapped from Kenya. The government did all these.
A General and some of his troops were killed. This government did not invaded Sabisa Forest.
Recently, in Lagos, and officer was attacked and the military invaded the area repeatedly.
Now they are giving exuses.
Let someone tell me the difference between Government and Boko Haram.
Shame on them! Shame!!!
See the trueth of the matter is the hausa’s .They quict know the source of this problems which I can call they are problem.Who is financing this idiots (boko’s),it’s not they are big men’s, thinking they above the law(some Hausa politician) .My people’s if they like make dey kill themselves finish Yoruba will go Ibos will move they are land will be empty.The Northern are this problem of this country,money being spent on insecurities in the north is okay to make Nigerian good but every time north insecurities or islamic problems (kilode) . They are leader are they problems because they want to be in control all the time .If Nigeria want to divide let it be
Why we the military wipe out a community in the south if they attack the military are they not civilians living with the attackers. It’s just an excuse of incompetence. Any community where bandits are and they are harbouring them are bandits and should be treated like bandits
Yoruba’s are the problem of this country, they are the Sowers of disunity, Easterners and the northerners until you understand this Nigeria will never be in peace. During President Obasanjo north and south east gave their full support and there peace but during Goodluck Jonathan and Buhari they used their sweet mouth to cause problems, even their clergymen protest against the government but look at them now they are supporting evils bc it’s their brother. Easterners and northerners open your eyes
A watery excuse,bandits and terrorists are human and nit spirit,they operate for hours unhindered,they go to markets to replenish food,fuel supply and other needs yet with the humongous yearly financial budgetry provisions that is mire than enough to aquire mordern weapons needed to eliminate the criminals,these are the lame,unfounded excuses we could get.
Imagine the government of particular concern , can you go back home and read your statement yourself anybody living comfortably with bandits is also a bandit however you’re telling us that Americans military who can identify bandits from non bandits should come and help us abi
Tinubu by this is not what you’re saying under Jonathan’s regime ooo.You’re in power now you’re looking for flimsy excuses right..You have failed Nigerians. Your government is full of lies and propangandas..