The persistent menace of banditry has continued to pose a serious threat to lives, property and national security in many parts of Nigeria.
Despite several military operations and government interventions, attacks by bandits, including kidnapping, killing and destruction of communities, remain a major concern.
Recently, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, came up with the idea that force should be used against bandits.
Oluwadamilare Olalusi of WEEKEND HOPE spoke with some individuals on the topic.
Excerpts:
Oyebade Morenikejimi
YES, force will curb bandits’ activities.
Bandits only understand the language of force. You can’t beg criminals. They kill innocent people. Government should crush them completely.
Look at how Boko Haram was pushed back when military got serious. Same can happen. If there’s no consequence, more people will join them. Force creates deterrence.
Ridwanullahi
The use of force against bandits can be effective in reducing their activities, especially when security agencies are well-equipped, well-trained and supported by accurate intelligence. Strong military and law enforcement operations can help restore order, protect communities and deter criminal groups from carrying out attacks.
However, force alone may not provide a lasting solution. To achieve long-term peace and security, efforts must also focus on addressing the underlying causes of banditry, such as poverty, unemployment, weak governance and lack of opportunities. A combination of security measures, community engagement and socio-economic development is often the most effective approach.
Force alone is generally insufficient to permanently end banditry. While decisive military action and aerial bombardments can degrade armed groups and flush them out of strongholds, they often just flee to new areas or morph into deeper insurgencies: Sustainable peace requires a combination of targeted kinetic operations and non-kinetic solutions. Experts and security analysts emphasise that purely military responses face significant hurdles. Bandits frequently use vulnerable communities and hostages as human shields, restricting the military’s rules of engagement to prevent civilian casualties. Displacement, Not Elimination: Heavy-handed strikes scatter bandits across dense forests, causing them to regroup in neighbouring regions rather than surrendering.
The use of force against bandits can help reduce criminal activities, especially when security agencies act swiftly and professionally.
However, force alone may not completely solve the problem. Banditry is often linked to poverty, unemployment, poor governance and the easy availability of weapons. While military operations can weaken bandit groups, long-term solutions should also include job creation, education, intelligence gathering, community policing and addressing the root causes of crime. Therefore, force may work in the short term, but a combination of security measures and social reforms is more likely to bring lasting solutions.
The use of force against bandits can help in restoring security, especially in countries like Nigeria where banditry has become a serious challenge. Security forces such as the military and police can suppress criminal activities, protect lives and property, and bring a sense of safety to affected communities. In this way, force plays a vital role in controlling the situation and preventing further attacks.
However, relying only on force is not enough to completely eliminate banditry. Many of the causes of banditry, including poverty, unemployment and poor governance, continue to encourage people to join such groups. Without addressing these underlying issues, the problem may persist or even worsen.
Therefore, a more effective solution requires combining force with social, economic and political measures to achieve lasting peace.
The use of force against bandits is a sensitive issue that raises both security and human rights concerns. On one hand, many people believe strong force is necessary to protect lives and property, especially in areas where banditry has led to killings, kidnappings and fear among citizens. They argue that decisive action by security agencies can restore peace and deter future crimes.
On the other hand, some people feel that excessive force may lead to the loss of innocent lives and worsen the situation. They suggest that alongside security operations, the government should address root causes like poverty, unemployment and lack of education. A balanced approach—combining force with dialogue and development—may offer a more lasting solution.
Force is vital for suppressing the immediate threat and protecting innocent lives, but it is a temporary cure. To permanently end banditry, the government must out-govern the bandits by providing the security, economic opportunity and presence that rural communities have been starved of for decades.
In my opinion, force can work against bandits, but it cannot be the only solution. Bandits are heavily armed and often operate in remote areas, so security forces sometimes need to use force to stop attacks, rescue victims and protect communities.
However, relying only on military action may not completely end banditry. If the root causes—such as poverty, unemployment, weak law enforcement, and poor governance—are not addressed, new groups may continue to emerge.
Therefore, the best approach is to combine force with intelligence gathering, community cooperation, better policing, social and economic development. Security agencies should also respect human rights while carrying out their operations to maintain public trust.
In conclusion, force is necessary to confront armed bandits, but lasting peace requires both security measures and long-term solutions that address the causes of banditry.