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
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.
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