Insecurity: President Tinubu told to arrest, prosecute bandit negotiators

A youth group called Teamsunrise has asked President Bola Tinubu to arrest and prosecute people who claim to negotiate with bandits and other criminal networks in Nigeria.

In a statement from Calabar, the group said unofficial talks with violent groups weaken national security instead of helping it.

Teamsunrise also called for an investigation into claims that some Nigerian Army personnel have been recruiting or working with bandits. The group said this is very worrying and that the military and other security agencies must clarify the situation.

They warned that any unauthorized contact or collaboration with violent groups puts citizens at risk and makes Nigeria’s security problems worse off. If these claims are true, they would be a serious violation of military and security conduct.

Another organization, the Sunrise Youth Entrepreneur Initiative, led by Princewill Chimezie Richards, questioned why those negotiating with criminals have not been investigated or punished. Richards said such actions should never be accepted and urged the federal government to hold anyone aiding violent groups accountable.

“If these allegations are true, the government must act. Anyone recruiting or negotiating with violent groups should face the law,” Richards said.

Both groups also criticized inconsistencies in how security cases are handled in Nigeria. They referred to the recent sentencing of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu, noting that his actions during court weakened his legal position.

Meanwhile, retired Major General Abdul Khalifa Ali-Keffi, former General Officer Commanding 1 Division, revealed that a high-level task force he led in 2021 found evidence linking bandit and Boko Haram financiers to influential government, military, and financial figures.

Ali-Keffi said the operation aimed to identify Boko Haram leaders, stop their funding, and dismantle their networks. The task force uncovered a complex system of sponsors connected to senior officials, top military officers, and major banks.