Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, says security agencies know the identities and locations of the bandit groups behind recent mass abductions, including last week’s attack on St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in Niger State.
Speaking on ARISE News’ Prime Time on Monday, Onanuga said intelligence available to security operatives is often difficult to act on directly because kidnapped victims are usually kept within or around the bandits’ hideouts, making large-scale attacks risky.
“The security people know all the bandits operating in that axis. They know them. They know where they operate,” he said.
He explained that the military cannot simply launch airstrikes even when the enclaves are identified.
“Our people are living around where they operate. So you can’t just go there. They need to be very careful that in the course of chasing these bandits, they don’t go and bomb innocent Nigerians,” he said.
Onanuga cited a previous incident in Borno State in which civilians were accidentally struck, saying security agencies remain cautious to avoid a repeat. “Some years ago in Borno State, when the military thought they had the right satellite connection, they bombed the wrong people. They must avoid that kind of mistake,” he said.
The presidential aide said uncertainty persists over the number of abducted students because complete records have not been provided to authorities. “As of now, the authorities are in the dark as to how many people are really missing. You said students are missing — let us have their names. Let us know what we are looking for,” he said.
He also alleged that the lack of cooperation from local authorities has slowed verification efforts. “For the security, they found it very strange that they are not cooperating. What is the agenda?” he asked.
On why security forces do not immediately storm bandit camps after abductions, Onanuga said the abductors often use victims as shields. “What sometimes restrains them from going after them is the risk of collateral damage. They go about abducting our people and use them as a shield so that they will not be attacked,” he said.
He added that the bandits are aware of the consequences of refusing to release abductees. “They know that if they keep those people and refuse to release them, the next thing will be for the government to embark on kinetic action and attack their base,” he said.
Onanuga also commented on President Tinubu’s directive redeploying security personnel from VIP protection to frontline duties, saying the move would boost security in high-risk areas. “I read today about 100,000 policemen guarding VIPs. If you share them out to vulnerable areas, that will make a lot of difference,” he said.
Responding to criticism from religious leaders, he said the administration fully acknowledges the seriousness of the security challenges. “This government has never denied that Nigerians are being killed. We know we have problems, but we are making efforts to ensure that we stem all these things,” he said.
Onanuga disclosed that the President is expected to address the nation after ongoing security consultations. “I think he will do so very soon,” he added.
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