By: Abdullahi Inuwa
Former Kano State Governor and Sarkin Malaman Kontagora, retired Colonel Sani Bello, has criticised the Federal Government’s approach to insecurity, saying authorities appear quicker to track individuals accused of insulting governors than armed bandits terrorising communities.
Bello expressed concern that despite the activities of bandits, who frequently release videos from forest hideouts, issue threats and openly display sophisticated weapons, they have not been decisively neutralised.
He argued that the Nigerian military possesses the firepower and operational capacity to confront the criminal groups, but alleged that there are reasons the government has not completely wiped them out.
According to the former governor, the continued freedom with which bandits operate has fuelled public concern over the country’s anti-bandit campaign and raised questions about the effectiveness of ongoing security operations.
His remarks come as security agencies continue efforts to combat banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes affecting several parts of northern Nigeria.
Bello called for stronger and more decisive action against armed groups, stressing that Nigerians expect security agencies to deploy the same level of efficiency used in tracking other offenders to those responsible for violent attacks across the country.
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