If our security forces can arrest social media influencers, they can also locate bandits – Burutai

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), urged that Nigeria’s security forces need more recruits, ongoing training, and better welfare provisions to strengthen the fight against insecurity.

He made the remarks during a TVC interview, where he discussed the rise in banditry, kidnappings and the challenges that confront security operations.

Addressing concerns that criminals can communicate freely, release videos and even record live during operations, Buratai said he does not believe security agencies lack the ability to track them.

“I don’t think they fail to locate. If they can locate ordinary citizens or social media influencers, I don’t believe they cannot locate these bandits,” he said.

He added that operational factors may cause delays or difficulties in responding to criminal activity, and stressed the need for continuous improvement within the system.

“I would not say it is purely a capacity challenge, but there is need for continuous capacity building across all security agencies,” he added.

Buratai also highlighted the importance of increasing manpower in the security sector.

He said more personnel are required to effectively tackle the growing security threats across the country.

“There is need for more operatives. We need more troops to be recruited, more policemen need to be trained and retrained,” he said.

He further stressed that the welfare of security personnel should be prioritised, including accommodation and working conditions, to improve their efficiency and morale.

“Their welfare is very important. They must have good accommodation and good welfare,” he said.

On the issue of specialised units for high‑risk rescue operations, Buratai explained that such capabilities already exist within the military.

He said the Nigerian Navy has special boat services trained for specialised missions, while the Nigerian Army also has special forces and rescue units capable of handling complex operations.

“In general, we have within the military special units like the Navy special boat services, and in the Army we have special forces and rescue units. They are trained for such missions,” he said.

However, he noted that the sensitive nature of kidnapping operations, including location challenges and risks of collateral damage, often complicates rescue efforts.

Buratai also proposed strengthening coordination in the national security architecture, particularly through the Office of the National Security Adviser’s counter‑terrorism centre.

“The Office of the National Security Adviser has a counter‑terrorism centre. If it can be expanded to have state branches with highly technical equipment and good operations centres, it will improve coordination,” he said.

According to him, such decentralised structures would enhance collaboration among security agencies and improve response to threats across the country.