Former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Gen Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (retd), has called on Nigeria’s military leaders, led by the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), Gen Christopher Musa, to swiftly tackle and end the ongoing banditry and killings across the country.
Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday during the launch of a book titled ‘Big Boots: Lessons From My Military Service’ by retired Maj Gen Solomon Udounwa, Gen Danjuma emphasized the importance of the military in restoring peace.
Addressing both serving and retired officers, he laid the responsibility on the nation’s current military leadership to curb the violence sweeping the nation, particularly in the North-West and North-Central regions.
“We must end the banditry and the killings that are going on in our country as soon as possible,” said Danjuma.
“The responsibilities are on your shoulders; those of you who are still serving. No excuses, absolutely no excuses. God bless you. God bless our country.”
Responding to the call, Gen Musa reassured the former army chief that the military remains undeterred in its fight against banditry and terrorism. He pledged that the Armed Forces would restore peace and bring an end to the threat posed by criminal elements.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria is willing, dedicated, and committed to ensuring that we restore peace and security in our dear country,” Gen Musa stated.
“We shall not be deterred… We cannot afford to fail, and we will not fail.”
The North-West and North-Central regions of Nigeria have faced a surge in violence, with banditry and kidnappings becoming rampant.
According to a recent report by SBM Intelligence, Nigerians paid ₦1.04 billion in ransom to kidnappers over the last year. The report further revealed that 7,568 people were abducted in 1,130 incidents during the same period, with Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina states being the most affected.
Despite the large sums demanded by kidnappers—₦10.99 billion—only a small fraction, 9.5%, was paid as ransom, indicating that kidnappers have become less selective in their targets. The report also noted that, on average, someone is killed during every attempted kidnapping.
As the military continues its efforts, the call by Gen Danjuma serves as a reminder of the urgency required in combating the menace of banditry and securing the safety of Nigerian citizens.