Why Army Can’t Bomb Bandit Hideouts, Presidential Aide Explains

• A presidential aide has shed light on why the Nigerian Army cannot simply launch airstrikes on bandit hideouts, citing legal constraints, civilian safety concerns, and the complex terrain in which the criminals operate.

He noted that security agencies must comply with international humanitarian laws, which prohibit the use of force that could lead to mass civilian casualties. Bombing such locations, he added, could endanger innocent villagers living around the bandits’ hideouts.

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, says Nigeria’s security agencies know the identities and locations of the bandit groups responsible for recent mass kidnappings, including the abduction of students from St Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State.

Speaking on ARISE News’ Prime Time on Monday, Onanuga said intelligence operatives have mapped out the criminal networks operating in the affected regions, but direct strikes are often impossible due to the presence of civilians held captive by the bandits.

“The security people, they know all the bandits that are operating in that axis. They know them. They know where they operate,” he said.

‘We Cannot Bomb Our Own People’

Onanuga explained that military operations are constrained by the risk of collateral damage.

“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.

He recalled a past incident in Borno State where an airstrike mistakenly hit civilians due to misinterpreted intelligence.
“They must avoid that kind of mistake,” he warned.

Uncertainty Surrounds Number of Abducted Students

Onanuga added that authorities still lack clear documentation on the exact number of missing children from the Niger State attack.
“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,” he said.

He also claimed that the school principal’s disappearance has complicated verification efforts.
“For the security, they found it very strange that they are not cooperating. What is the agenda?” he asked.

Why Security Forces Don’t Immediately Storm Bandit Camps

According to Onanuga, bandits deliberately use abducted civilians as shields, making direct assaults dangerous.
“What sometimes restrains them from going after them is the risk of collateral damage,” he said.

He added that the bandits understand the consequences of defying government pressure.
“They know that if they keep those people and refuse to release them, the next thing will be for the government to embark on a kinetic action,” he noted.

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Redeployment of Policemen from VIP Duties to Frontlines

Addressing President Tinubu’s directive for security agencies to withdraw officers from VIP protection, Onanuga said the move would strengthen defence in vulnerable communities.

“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.

Government Acknowledges Security Crisis

Responding to criticism from church leaders, Onanuga insisted the administration is not downplaying the severity of the security situation.

“This government has never denied that Nigerians are being killed. We know we have problems,” he said, adding that the President is expected to address the nation soon after ongoing security consultations.

“He will do so very soon,” Onanuga said.