[VIDEO] Security agencies can track bandits if they choose to — Ex-Chief of Army Staff
A former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai (retd.), has said Nigerian security agencies have the capacity to trace and locate bandits and kidnappers operating across the country.
Speaking during an interview on TVC on Monday, Buratai questioned why authorities are able to track ordinary citizens, social media influencers, bloggers and cybercriminals, yet appear unable to find bandits who openly display weapons, loot and videos from their hideouts.
“I don’t think they failed to locate. If they can locate ordinary citizens or social media influencers, I don’t believe they can’t locate these bandits that flaunt their loot or whatever activities they do,” he said.
The former Nigerian Ambassador to Benin Republic argued that security agencies have consistently demonstrated their ability to monitor communications and track individuals when necessary.
Although he avoided directly blaming current authorities, Buratai suggested that factors beyond technological limitations may explain why criminal hideouts remain operational.
He stressed the need to strengthen the country’s security framework through continuous training, increased recruitment and improved welfare for personnel.
“There must be capacity building of all the security agencies, and continuously,” he said, noting that more security operatives and police officers are required.
Buratai also pointed out that the military has specialised units trained to carry out high-risk rescue operations, including the Nigerian Navy’s Special Boat Service and the Nigerian Army’s Special Forces.
“I will not tell you exactly or be specific, but generally we have within the military specialised units trained for such rescue missions,” he said.
According to him, these units possess rescue and VIP protection capabilities that can be deployed in critical situations.
“The Special Boat Service is trained for such rescue missions. Even the Nigerian Army has Special Forces. They have rescue and VIP protection capabilities,” he added.
However, he explained that decisions surrounding kidnapping operations are often influenced by concerns about the safety of victims and the possibility of collateral damage.
“The sensitivity of that type of kidnap, the location and those involved, and the danger of collateral damage may play a very important part,” he said.
Buratai further called for the expansion of the National Counter Terrorism Centre under the Office of the National Security Adviser, arguing that stronger coordination and better technology would enhance efforts against terrorism and kidnapping.
“The Office of the National Security Adviser has a Counter Terrorism Centre. I think the commander there is a professional and highly strategic officer,” he said.
He proposed creating state-level branches of the centre equipped with advanced technology, operational facilities and situation rooms to improve intelligence gathering and collaboration with security agencies.
“If it can be further expanded to have state branches of the Counter Terrorism Centre with highly technical equipment and very good operations centres or situation rooms, they will be able to do a lot in coordination with the security agencies and the military,” Buratai said.
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