By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Terrorist |
Abdulrahoof Bello, a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has stated that armed bandits plaguing Northern Nigeria should be considered "jihadists," arguing that the Federal Government is legally prevented from using full military force against them.
Mr. Bello made these remarks during an interview on Channels Television's popular programme, Sunrise Daily, on Wednesday, sending shockwaves through the Nigerian political and security landscape.
Central to Bello's argument is the claim that the National Assembly has not enacted a law formally proscribing bandit groups as terrorist organizations. He insisted that this legal gap is a major hindrance to a more aggressive military response.
“The bandits are jihadists because to the best of my knowledge, I am not aware of any law enacted by the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria declaring these people as terrorists,” Mr. Bello stated.
He further elaborated, “… And that is a very great lacuna that has been hindering the Federal Government from giving the terrorist treatment that Donald Trump is expecting from the Nigeria government.”
Bello's comments directly reference the growing international pressure on the Nigerian government, particularly from the United States. Former President Donald Trump has recently accused the Bola Tinubu administration of not doing enough to protect Christians from bandit attacks.
Trump had even threatened to authorize a U.S. military operation in Nigeria if President Tinubu failed to take immediate and decisive measures to secure the safety of Christians, especially in the northern regions.
The APC chieftain's controversial legal theory comes at a time of severe national crisis. Nigeria's insecurity has dramatically escalated with a wave of mass school abductions.
On November 12, 24 students were kidnapped by bandits from the Government Girls Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State. While they have since regained their freedom, a more devastating attack occurred just nine days later.
On November 21, armed bandits stormed the St. Mary’s School in Papiri, Niger State, abducting 303 students and 12 teachers. This incident sparked renewed local and international outrage, with urgent calls for the Nigerian authorities to address the deteriorating security situation.
Mr. Bello's characterization of bandits as "jihadists" and his explanation for the government's perceived inaction are likely to generate significant debate. While the government has designated other groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) as terrorist organizations, it has hesitated to give the same label to the various armed bandit factions, despite their similar tactics of killing, kidnapping, and extortion.