The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has revealed that security agencies are fully aware of the identities and hideouts of the bandit groups behind recent mass abductions, including the attack on St Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in Niger State.
Onanuga made this known on Monday during an appearance on ARISE News’s programme, Prime Time.
He explained that although security operatives possess sufficient intelligence, their actions are often limited by the danger of causing collateral damage to civilians held 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.
Onanuga emphasised that the government cannot simply carry out airstrikes on the identified locations.
“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 stated.
He referenced a previous incident in Borno State where the military accidentally struck civilians.
“Some years ago in Borno State, when the military thought they had the right satellite connection, they bombed the wrong people. They must avoid that kind of mistake,” he noted.
Onanuga added that there is still uncertainty regarding the actual number of abducted students because neither the school nor the Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria has provided a complete list.
“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. Let us know what we are looking for,” he said.
He also said the school principal had “disappeared”, further complicating verification efforts.
“For the security, they found it very strange that they are not cooperating. What is the agenda?” he asked.
On why security forces do not immediately raid bandit camps after abductions, Onanuga explained that the victims are often used as human shields.
“What sometimes restrains them from going after them is the risk of collateral damage. They go about abducting our people and use them as a shield so that they will not be attacked,” he said.
Onanuga added that the bandits are aware of the consequences of resisting 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 and attack their base,” he stated.
Commenting on the President’s directive redeploying officers from VIP protection to frontline assignments, he said the move would strengthen security in vulnerable areas.
“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.
Responding to criticisms from church leaders, Onanuga insisted that the administration recognises the severity of the situation.
“This government has never denied that Nigerians are being killed. We know we have problems, but we are making efforts to ensure that we stem all these things,” he said.
He revealed that the President is expected to address the nation soon after ongoing security meetings.
“I think he will do so very soon,” he added.