Nigeria Coming Closer To Unraveling Sponsors Of Banditry, Terrorism

Security experts have hailed the recent revelation by the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) that relevant agencies are discretely investigating sponsors of banditry/ terrorism in the Northwest.

The director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba briefing Journalists on Thursday when asked about the military’s role regarding the allegations involving two influential Nigerians, stated that relevant agencies tasked with such responsibilities are diligently investigating the matter, though he did not mention any names.

“When you talk about what’s going on about the sponsors, I can assure you that the relevant agencies that are saddled with that responsibility are doing a good job. And sooner than later, you will hear some announcements in that regard.”

The director, Media and Publicity, International Institute of professional Security (IIPS) Dr. Abdullahi Muhammed Jabi said the revelation means Nigeria is now coming closer to finding a final solution to banditry and insecurity in northern Nigeria and by extension the country as a whole.

“My fear is that allowing multiplication of agencies to find out or investigate an action that is peculiar in a particular zone and dominant in a particular zone will not be the way out. There is military intelligence, they can handle these issues, the DSS can handle but the police should not be involved,” he said.

He cautioned that any other agencies except EFCC can be onboard because they can be able to ascertain the source of their money.

“They should not allow every government agency to be in charge, to want to have a role to play. They will rather aid and abate the process and will not be able to find final solution to it.

“This a very welcome development and I must commend the president, the chief of army staff and chief of defense staff for coming up with this development after all, we have names of the sponsors of Boko Haram and these has been there during Jonathan’s time. Now that they are serious about ending the insurgency, insecurity and banditry, I still give kudos to them for coming up with this development.”

Other security experts who do not want to be mentioned said unraveling sponsors will give foot soldiers the guts to end the menace.

Some serving soldiers attribute the delay in ending banditry to compromise on the part of some officials hence, the need to unravel the real sponsors.