Insecurity: “Northern Govs. lack willpower to fight banditry”, Says Retired General

Retired General

A retired military General, Ishola Williams has criticised Northern Nigeria’s political and military leaders for failing to tackle terrorism and banditry effectively. 

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In a published interview at the weekend, General Williams decried the worsening security situation, highlighting the increasing dominance of bandits and terrorists across large swathes of the region. 

He accused governors of inaction, citing their inability to address issues like the Almajiri system and collusion with bandits, as evidenced by the turbaning of notorious leader Bello Turji. He noted that the problem has escalated beyond mere terrorism, and now requires a multi-dimensional approach.

The retired General also questioned the military’s role in counterterrorism, suggesting it should focus on national defense while paramilitary police handle internal security. “The Mobile Police Force unit was established to combat bandits, kidnappers, and insurgents; but when they fail, the military steps in to support, not to take over”, he explained.

He proposed dividing the Nigeria Police Force into two entities: a crime intelligence and criminal investigation agency, and a National Paramilitary Force, with the latter operating independently under a Commander-General.

The retired general also raised concerns about allegations of collusion between security agencies and bandits. Referencing remarks by Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi and some northern governors, he questioned the commitment of the leadership to ending insecurity. “Are they serious about addressing the security crisis? If not, it simply means they are ineffective”, he remarked.

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He further urged political solutions, such as resolving the South-East crisis by engaging regional leaders and releasing Nnamdi Kanu. Williams warned that without decisive action, the insecurity crisis would persist.

General Williams stressed the importance of political solutions alongside military interventions, citing the South-East crisis as an example. He suggested that releasing the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu as well as engaging regional stakeholders could help restore peace in the region.

Turning to the North, he criticised northern governors for failing to address systemic issues such as the Almajiri system and their tolerance of certain traditional rulers allegedly linked to banditry.

“The governors are not serious. They have failed to address the Almajiri system, which has created a pool of vulnerable youths susceptible to recruitment by terrorists”, he said, citing the controversial turbaning of notorious bandit leader Bello Turji by an emir as a case in point.

According to him, “They (Governors) are not serious. If they cannot take care of Almajiri, can they take care of the terrorists? If you go to most parts of the North, you will see those children loitering about the whole place.

“The governors couldn’t take care of that. Don’t forget that there was a case of a governor who negotiated with a terrorist leader. Apart from that, Bello Turji was turbaned; Or didn’t you see the picture of him being turbaned with an emir? Or, how many Emirs have been caught in the North by the governors for colluding with the terrorists? And how many of them have been taken to court? Yet people are being killed daily across the States. The governors are simply not serious”, he stressed.

Gen. Williams called for a revamp of Nigeria’s intelligence services, questioning their inability to trace Boko Haram’s funding and supply chains. He dismissed claims that Boko Haram’s sophistication is beyond local capacity, arguing that the group’s activities could be curtailed with better-equipped and functional intelligence agencies.

He concluded by urging a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture, emphasising the need for a pragmatic and resolute approach to safeguarding citizens’ lives. “The safety of Nigerians cannot be ensured with the current ineffective structures. A problem-solving approach is urgently needed”, he emphasised.

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