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Why Northern Nigeria Governors Not Serious About Eradicating Terrorists, Bandits
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Retired General Ishola Williams, a former Commandant of the Army Signals, has spoken out against Nigeria’s security architecture, citing its ineffectiveness in addressing the growing issues of banditry and terror attacks.
He specifically criticised both military and political leaders for their lack of efficiency and willpower in tackling these challenges.
Williams emphasised that the situation has spiralled out of control, with bandits now operating freely and controlling large areas in the North. He argued that this is no longer just a matter of terrorism, but a more complex issue that requires a comprehensive approach.
Notably, Williams suggested that the military’s role should be focused on protecting the territorial integrity of the country, rather than pursuing bandits, which is the responsibility of the Mobile Police. He also advocated for the separation of National Paramilitary Force from the police service, recommending that it should be an independent entity.
Williams in an interview with Sunday PUNCH pointed out the claims of collusion between security agencies and bandits, as alleged by figures such as Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi and some northern governors.
“Do they have the will to face the bandits and defeat them? For me, if they don’t have the will, it simply means they are useless,” he remarked.
He emphasised that the military’s primary role is to protect the country’s territorial integrity, not to engage in internal counterterrorism operations. He proposed strengthening paramilitary police forces, such as the mobile police, to combat insurgency effectively.
The retired general criticised the reliance on the military to perform roles meant for specialised agencies and called for the restructuring of the Nigeria Police Force.
He said, “What is very important is that the military is doing the job of the mobile police. The mobile police was created separately from the regular police, with a different uniform and training, to carry guns like soldiers and fight bandits, kidnappers, and insurgents. That was why the mobile police was created.
“When the mobile police cannot do the job, the military is expected to support them, not to take over. But what we have seen is that the Nigerian police are confusing the job of policing with that of paramilitary policing, and that is a very big problem for the country.
“Therefore, you must separate paramilitary policing from ordinary policing. Policing should be at the state and local levels, not at the national level. This means you need to divide the Nigeria Police Force into a crime intelligence and criminal investigation agency.
“Also, there should be the National Paramilitary Force, which will now be the mobile police. They will be a separate agency and have a commander-general like the Customs and Immigration. Once they become a separate agency, they will have a clear focus. That means that the Inspector General of Police will be in charge of maintaining standards, training, monitoring, evaluation, and feedback on state policing. So, the existing Nigeria Police Force that you have now will disappear.”
Addressing the political dimensions of insecurity, Williams advocated for political solutions alongside military efforts. He made reference to the South-East crisis involving the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), suggesting that releasing IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu and engaging regional leaders could quell unrest.
“The killings and attacks will stop if a political solution is found,” he asserted, criticising the lack of proactive measures by both state and federal governments.
On the northern security crisis, Williams blamed governors for their inaction, particularly regarding the Almajiri system and the influence of traditional rulers. He cited instances of collaboration between traditional leaders and bandits, such as the turbaning of notorious bandit leader Bello Turji, as evidence of deeper systemic issues.
He said, “They (Governors) are not serious. If they cannot take care of Almajiri, can they take care of the terrorists? If you go to most parts of the North, you will see those children loitering about the whole place.
“The governors couldn’t take care of that. Don’t forget that there was a case of a governor who negotiated with a terrorist leader. Apart from that, Bello Turji was turbaned. Or didn’t you see the picture of him being turbaned with an emir?
“But how many emirs have been caught in the North by the governors for colluding with the terrorists? And how many of them have been taken to court? Yet people are being killed daily across the states. The governors are simply not serious.”
He recalled that Bello Turji (the notorious bandit kingpin) said “one important thing”.
Williams said, “He (Bello Turji) said, ‘The military knows where I am. Come and attack me.’ After that, he said, ‘Okay, since you don’t want to come, I am coming.’ So, where in the world can you see that? All the military could say is, ‘Oh, we will deal with him.’ But nothing has happened up until now. And the man is confident.
“In fact, let us go back to what Sheikh Gumi told everybody. He said the military intelligence and the security agencies know where the bandits are. Even the northern governors have said the security agencies are in collusion with the bandits. So, is anybody serious about bringing the security situation to an end? Are they serious?”
Williams dismissed claims that Boko Haram’s sophistication is too advanced for local forces to handle, arguing that the group’s operations are not insurmountable if intelligence agencies are properly equipped and functional.
He questioned the effectiveness of Nigeria’s intelligence services, calling for accountability regarding the sources of Boko Haram’s funding and supplies.
Reflecting on the broader implications, he called for a complete overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture and urged the government to adopt a pragmatic, problem-solving approach to ensure the safety of its citizens.
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has rescued four residents abducted during a kidnapping attack in the Yellow House area of Mpape, Abuja, following a gun battle with suspected kidnappers in the Jikoko Hills.
The Command, however, confirmed that one resident was killed during the attack, while another who sustained a gunshot wound is responding to treatment in hospital.
The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday.
According to the statement, the incident occurred at about 10:40 p.m. on Wednesday when the command received a distress call that armed kidnappers had invaded the Yellow House area of Mpape and abducted four residents.
Following the report, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Ahmed Sanusi, immediately deployed operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, personnel from the Katampe and Mpape Divisions, as well as officers of the 24 Police Mobile Force Squadron to rescue the victims.
Adeh said preliminary investigations showed that the attackers shot two residents before fleeing with four hostages through the Jikoko Hills towards the Ushafa Forest.
“Upon their arrival, preliminary findings revealed that the assailants had shot two victims before fleeing the scene. It was also discovered that the assailants had taken four other victims hostage from a nearby area whom they forcefully marched through Jikoko Hills towards Ushafa Forest,” she said.
She added that the injured victims were rushed to a hospital, where one of them, identified only as Mr. Babangida, was confirmed dead, while the second victim, who sustained a gunshot wound to the leg, is responding positively to treatment.
The police spokesperson said operatives sustained the pursuit of the kidnappers from the night of the attack until the early hours of Friday when they intercepted the suspects around Jikoko Hills.
She said, “The operatives maintained relentless pursuit of the kidnappers from the night of the incident till Friday, 10th July, 2026, when they located the kidnappers at approximately 12:05 a.m. around Jikoko Hills heading towards Ushafa Forest with the hostages.”
According to her, the kidnappers opened fire on sighting the advancing police team, resulting in a fierce exchange of gunfire.
“Demonstrating superior tactical capability, the operatives overwhelmed the suspects, forcing them to abandon the hostages and flee deeper into the surrounding hills and forest in a desperate attempt to evade arrest,” Adeh stated.
She confirmed that all four abducted victims were rescued unharmed, evacuated from the forest and reunited with their families.
The spokesperson added that security operatives were continuing the manhunt for the fleeing suspects.
The Commissioner of Police assured residents that the command remained committed to apprehending those behind the attack and bringing them to justice.
“He further urges members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest Police Station or through the FCT Police Command emergency lines,” the statement added.
Ademola Abiodun, popularly known as DJ Chicken, was on Friday arraigned before a Magistrate’s Court in Ogba, Lagos, over allegations of issuing a death threat against Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu.
DJ Chicken was brought before Magistrate M.F. Onamusi on a three-count charge bordering on alleged threat to kill, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, and offences under the Cybercrime Act.
According to the prosecution, the charges arose from a video posted on the content creator’s social media platforms last week in which he allegedly threatened Seyi Tinubu while commenting on the 2027 presidential election.
The prosecution told the court that the video contained statements interpreted as a threat to kill Seyi Tinubu, contrary to the provisions of the Criminal Law of Lagos State and the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
Following public reaction to the video, DJ Chicken posted another video in which he withdrew the remarks, describing them as a joke intended to attract public attention.
He stated that he had no intention of harming Seyi Tinubu and said the comments were part of content creation.
Despite the retraction, the state proceeded with criminal charges against him.
The first count alleges that the defendant posted a video containing a threat to kill Seyi Tinubu through his social media accounts, an offence punishable under Section 232 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The second count accuses him of transmitting a grossly offensive and menacing message through a computer network, contrary to Section 24 of the Cybercrime Act, 2015.
The third count alleges that his conduct was likely to cause a breach of the peace and was intended to intimidate or embarrass Seyi Tinubu, contrary to Section 168(d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
DJ Chicken pleaded not guilty to all three charges.
Magistrate M.F. Onamusi admitted him to bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum.
The court ruled that one of the sureties must be a government employee, while the second must be a recognised community leader with landed property in Lagos State.
Both sureties are also required to provide evidence of three years’ tax clearance, Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) identification, National Identification Number (NIN), and recent utility bills.
In addition, one of the sureties must be a blood relation of the defendant.
Pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, the magistrate ordered that DJ Chicken be remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre.
The case was adjourned until August 3, 2026, for further proceedings.
An Indiana man accused of severing his own penis and setting it on fire has been released on bail after being charged with felony arson.
According to court documents obtained by TMZ, 43-year-old American citizen, Christopher Peden was released after posting a $10,000 bond. As part of his bail conditions, he must remain in Indiana unless he receives court approval to travel outside the state.
Investigators said officers recovered several items from the scene, including the remains of a red plastic gasoline container, four BIC lighters and a knife. Court records did not indicate that the severed body part was collected as evidence. Police allege that Peden told officers he used a kitchen knife to sever his penis at around 2 a.m. before pouring gasoline on it and setting it alight inside a garage.
Emergency services were dispatched to the property following reports of a stabbing. Police and firefighters responded to the scene, where the incident is said to have occurred in a garage belonging to the property’s owners.
Peden is expected to appear in court as proceedings continue in the felony arson case. Authorities have not disclosed additional details about his medical condition or the circumstances surrounding the incident.
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