Buratai Challenges Claims That Bandits Cannot Be Tracked, Calls Out Security Agencies

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai (retd.), has raised fresh questions about Nigeria’s fight against banditry and kidnapping, arguing that criminal groups who openly share videos and communicate publicly should not be difficult for security agencies to locate.

His comments come at a time when public frustration over insecurity is reaching new levels, particularly following the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State and the reported killing of one of the victims. The incident has reignited national concerns about the growing sophistication of criminal networks and the apparent difficulty in dismantling them despite advances in surveillance and intelligence gathering technologies.

Speaking during an interview on TVC, Buratai challenged the notion that security agencies lack the capacity to trace bandits who frequently showcase their operations, weapons, and hostages through digital platforms.

The former army chief suggested that if authorities can successfully track ordinary citizens, social media users, and online influencers, locating heavily armed criminal groups that openly publicize their activities should not be beyond the reach of the country’s security architecture.

His remarks touch on a question many Nigerians have increasingly asked in recent years.

How do criminal groups continue to operate so visibly while remaining difficult to apprehend?

The Growing Debate Over Intelligence and Enforcement

Nigeria’s security challenges have evolved significantly over the past decade.

Armed groups operating across various regions now employ a combination of traditional tactics and modern communication tools. Videos of kidnappings, ransom negotiations, and armed displays frequently surface online, often sparking outrage and concern among citizens.

For many observers, these public displays create the impression that criminal groups are operating with a level of confidence that appears difficult to reconcile with modern intelligence capabilities.

Buratai stopped short of directly criticizing security agencies. However, his comments suggested that operational decisions may be influenced by factors beyond technological capability alone.

“I don’t think they failed to locate,” he said during the interview.

“If they can locate ordinary citizens or social media influencers, I don’t believe they can locate these bandits that flaunt their loot or whatever activities they do.”

While he refrained from making definitive conclusions about ongoing operations, the statement has intensified discussions about how intelligence gathering is deployed in Nigeria’s fight against organized criminal groups.

The comments also come amid growing calls for greater transparency regarding security operations and the strategies being used to combat kidnapping and banditry across the country.

Oyo School Abduction Renews National Outrage

Buratai’s remarks arrive against the backdrop of another high profile kidnapping case that has shocked the nation.

Gunmen recently abducted pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, an incident that triggered widespread condemnation and public protests.

The situation became even more disturbing following reports that one of the abducted teachers was killed.

The attack reinforced fears that insecurity, once concentrated in specific regions, is increasingly affecting communities across different parts of the country.

Parents, educators, and civil society groups have since demanded stronger action from authorities, warning that attacks on schools threaten not only public safety but also access to education.

The incident has also renewed scrutiny of the country’s security infrastructure and the speed at which authorities respond to kidnapping cases.

Against this backdrop, Buratai’s comments have gained particular significance because they come from a former military leader who oversaw major security operations during his tenure as Chief of Army Staff.

More Personnel, Better Training, Stronger Institutions

Beyond questioning the ability to locate criminal groups, Buratai emphasized the need for continuous investment in Nigeria’s security institutions.

According to him, defeating insecurity requires more than tactical operations. It also requires sustained capacity building across all security agencies.

He argued that Nigeria needs additional personnel across the military, police, and other security services to effectively respond to evolving threats.

The retired general called for increased recruitment, noting that manpower remains a critical component of national security.

He also stressed the importance of regular training and retraining programmes, arguing that security personnel must continuously adapt to new challenges and emerging criminal tactics.

Modern security threats often evolve rapidly, requiring agencies to upgrade their skills, intelligence capabilities, and operational approaches.

Buratai suggested that continuous professional development should therefore remain a priority for policymakers and security leaders.

Welfare Remains a Critical Security Issue

In addition to recruitment and training, Buratai highlighted another issue that is frequently overlooked in national security discussions.

Welfare.

According to him, the living conditions of security personnel play a significant role in operational effectiveness.

He argued that officers and troops should have access to decent accommodation and improved welfare packages, describing these factors as essential components of a strong security system.

The issue has long been a topic of discussion among military experts and policy analysts, many of whom argue that better welfare can improve morale, professionalism, and overall performance.

Security experts often note that personnel operating under difficult conditions may face additional challenges that affect their effectiveness in the field.

Buratai’s comments add to ongoing conversations about the need for broader reforms that address both operational and human resource dimensions of national security.

Nigeria’s Special Forces Have the Capability, Says Buratai

The former army chief also pushed back against suggestions that Nigeria lacks specialized units capable of conducting high risk rescue missions.

According to him, the country’s armed forces possess dedicated formations trained specifically for hostage rescue and other complex operations.

While declining to discuss operational details, Buratai pointed to specialized military units that have received advanced training for rescue missions and VIP protection assignments.

He specifically referenced the Nigerian Navy’s Special Boat Service and the Nigerian Army’s Special Forces as examples of elite units equipped to handle difficult security situations.

His comments appear aimed at reassuring the public that specialized capabilities exist within Nigeria’s security framework.

However, he also acknowledged that rescue operations involving hostages are often highly sensitive and require careful planning.

Why Rescue Missions Are Not Always Straightforward

One of the most significant points raised by Buratai concerned the complexity of hostage situations.

While public pressure often demands immediate action, rescue operations involve a range of considerations that may not always be visible to citizens.

According to him, decisions surrounding kidnapping cases are frequently influenced by concerns about hostage safety, operational risks, and the potential for collateral damage.

In many situations, security agencies must balance the urgency of intervention against the possibility that aggressive action could endanger victims.

The location of hostages, terrain conditions, available intelligence, and the behavior of kidnappers all play important roles in determining the most appropriate response.

These realities help explain why authorities sometimes adopt approaches that may appear cautious from the outside.

For security planners, protecting the lives of hostages often remains the overriding priority.

Buratai Calls for Expansion of Counter Terrorism Operations

Looking ahead, Buratai advocated for a broader and more technologically advanced approach to tackling insecurity.

He specifically called for the expansion of the National Counter Terrorism Centre under the Office of the National Security Adviser.

According to him, the centre already plays an important role in coordinating security efforts and is led by experienced professionals.

However, he believes its impact could be significantly enhanced through decentralization and increased technological investment.

Buratai proposed the establishment of state level branches equipped with advanced surveillance systems, operational facilities, and modern situation rooms.

Such structures, he argued, would improve coordination between security agencies and strengthen intelligence sharing across different jurisdictions.

The recommendation reflects a growing consensus among security experts that modern threats require integrated responses supported by technology, real time intelligence, and interagency collaboration.

A Question That Continues to Echo

Buratai’s remarks have once again brought a difficult question to the forefront of Nigeria’s security conversation.

If criminal groups can communicate openly, share videos, and publicize their activities, why does dismantling their networks remain such a challenge?

The answer is unlikely to be simple.

Security operations involve complexities that extend far beyond what is visible to the public. Yet as kidnappings, banditry, and violent attacks continue to affect communities across the country, citizens are increasingly demanding results.

For many Nigerians, the debate is no longer just about capacity.

It is about urgency.

As insecurity continues to dominate national discourse, Buratai’s comments serve as both a challenge and a reminder that effective security requires not only operational capability but also coordination, technology, manpower, and sustained political will.

Until those elements work seamlessly together, the questions surrounding Nigeria’s fight against kidnapping and banditry are likely to remain unanswered.