A political strategist and Group Chief Executive Officer of Global Investment and Trade Company, Baba Yusuf, has issued a stark warning over Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation, cautioning that bandits may soon find their way into the National Assembly if urgent action is not taken.
Speaking during an interview on Arise News, Yusuf expressed deep concern about the growing influence of bandit groups, particularly in northern Nigeria, where communities are reportedly paying taxes to them and seeking their intervention in disputes.
According to him, the situation reflects a dangerous shift in authority and public trust, as non-state actors increasingly assume roles traditionally reserved for government institutions.
Yusuf noted that despite escalating violence and loss of lives, political actors continue to trivialize the crisis, using it as a tool for partisan advantage rather than addressing it as a national emergency.
He further alleged that bandits have become emboldened, attacking military formations, killing security personnel, and even impersonating members of the armed forces during negotiations with authorities—often without facing consequences.
“These groups are no longer hiding,” he said. “They operate openly, issue threats ahead of attacks, and carry them out without resistance. In some cases, they overrun military positions and retreat unchallenged.”
Highlighting recent incidents in states such as Niger, Kwara, Benue, and Plateau, Yusuf stressed that insecurity is spreading into areas previously considered safe, signaling a troubling expansion of bandit operations.
He also referenced a recent assurance by the President to victims of violence in Plateau State, noting that attacks resumed almost immediately after the promise, further undermining public confidence in the government’s ability to protect citizens.
Describing the situation as an “existential threat,” Yusuf urged leaders across political divides to unite and confront the crisis decisively, warning that failure to act could lead to even more severe consequences for the country’s stability.
“People are beginning to see these groups as alternative authorities,” he said. “If this trend continues, the implications for governance and national security will be profound.”
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