Bandits Are Human Beings; Nigerians Should Face Them Squarely, Says Ex-NYSC DG

Retired Brigadier-General Maharazu Tsiga, a former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has called for a tougher and more coordinated response to Nigeria’s worsening security challenges, insisting that negotiations alone cannot bring an end to banditry and terrorism.

Tsiga made the remarks on Thursday in Kaduna during a press briefing organised by friends, associates and colleagues of the late retired Major-General Abubakar Rabe.

Addressing journalists on the country’s security situation, the retired military officer argued that while dialogue has often been considered as part of conflict resolution efforts, it is unlikely to produce lasting peace unless the broader criminal networks sustaining banditry are dismantled.

Drawing from his personal experience in captivity, Tsiga maintained that armed groups operating across parts of the country would not willingly abandon their activities through negotiations alone, stressing the need for a more decisive approach to combating insecurity.

According to him, criminal elements thrive largely because communities and authorities have allowed fear to take root, adding that bandits and terrorists are not invincible.

“These people are human beings like us; they fear death and they fear being confronted. If we remove that fear through decisive action and face them squarely, we will achieve more meaningful results than endless negotiations,” he said.

The former NYSC boss also raised concerns about the existence of networks that allegedly aid criminal groups, claiming that informants and collaborators operate both within communities and public institutions.

He alleged that during his period in captivity, discussions among some bandit leaders revealed how ammunition and other supplies were sourced through individuals with access to government resources, suggesting that insider collaboration remains a major obstacle to ending insecurity.

Questioning the rationale behind negotiating solely with armed groups, Tsiga argued that those who profit from the conflict often have little interest in seeing peace restored.

U“Who exactly are we negotiating with? You may negotiate with the bandits, but those supplying them and profiting from the conflict will not allow peace to prevail because they are more interested in financial gain than the lives and property of innocent citizens,” he stated.

The retired general urged the government and security agencies to intensify efforts aimed at dismantling criminal networks while also calling on citizens to play a more active role in supporting security operations.

He emphasised that intelligence gathering and community cooperation remain critical to the success of military and law enforcement operations.

“If the Army is doing its part and society fails to support those efforts, then we have all failed. Security is a collective responsibility,” he said.

Tsiga further challenged communities affected by banditry to resist intimidation and work collectively against criminal elements, arguing that the effectiveness of bandits often stems more from fear than numerical strength.

“When only a few armed men can force hundreds or even thousands of people to flee, it shows the need for collective action. Communities must work together with security agencies to deny criminals the space to operate,” he added.

He concluded by stressing that sustainable peace can only be achieved through a united front involving citizens, security agencies and government institutions working together to confront not only the perpetrators of violence but also those who finance, support and benefit from criminal activities.