Stakeholders in Northern Nigeria have applauded President Bola Tinubu’s decisive marching order to the military to eradicate banditry and general insecurity by the end of 2025.
The directive, announced by Minister of Defence Abubakar Badaru, signals an intensified military campaign against non-state actors. According to Badaru, ongoing operations have been yielding positive results, but efforts will not cease until the nation achieves total security.
“The bandits are now on the run, but the military will not rest until we end this threat. The President has given us marching orders to secure every part of the country by December 2025,” Badaru stated. “The Chief of Defence Staff and the National Security Adviser are working tirelessly to meet this target, as seen in the intensified pressure on all theatre operations.”
Relief Across the North
Citizens across the North-East and North-West regions have welcomed the directive, expressing optimism that it will restore safety and economic stability, particularly in the agricultural sector.
Abubakar Ibrahim and Mohammed Kundiri, farmers in Borno State, described the order as a major relief, emphasizing the need for a secure environment to resume farming activities fully. They urged the military to reclaim Lake Chad’s fertile shores, which remain partially occupied by insurgents.
“We are happy a deadline has been set because a clear timetable ensures accountability. Although rehabilitation and resettlement programs are ongoing in Borno, remnants of terrorists still pose a challenge that must be addressed,” Ibrahim said.
Former Adamawa State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Ahmad Sajoh, also hailed the directive, noting its broader economic implications. “Clearing out bandits has multiple benefits, including the restoration of farming and trading activities. The President must, however, complement this effort with non-kinetic strategies, such as public enlightenment on the roles of informants and arms suppliers,” Sajoh advised.
Calls for Intensified Military Action
In Zamfara State, residents of Shinkafi Local Government Area acknowledged the military’s recent successes but stressed the need for sustained operations. Salisu Tunga highlighted persistent security threats in areas such as Dansadau, Magami, Dangulbi, and Zurmi, where travelers still require military escorts. He also revealed that some communities in Tsafe, Zurmi, and Bukkuyum were still being forced to pay levies to bandits.
Kebbi State’s Deputy Governor, Senator Umar Tafida, confirmed incursions by bandits from neighboring states and Niger Republic but assured that adequate measures were being taken to counter the threats. Alhaji AbdulRahman Usman, Director of Security at the Cabinet Office in Kebbi, affirmed that terrorist camps in Lakurawa had been dismantled, strengthening security in Argungu, Augie, and Arewa local government areas.
Military Gains in Sokoto
In Sokoto, Special Adviser on Security Matters to the State Governor, Col. Ahmad Usman (Rtd), praised the ongoing military operations. “Many terrorist enclaves have been identified and destroyed, with several bandits neutralized. Hundreds of kidnapped victims have also been rescued,” he disclosed.
As the military ramps up its offensive against insurgents and criminal elements, stakeholders remain hopeful that President Tinubu’s deadline will mark the beginning of lasting peace and security across Nigeria.
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