Bandits Are Human Beings Like Us, Let’s Face Them Squarely – Brig-Gen. Maharazu 

Retired Brig. Gen. Maharazu Tsiga, former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, has called for a more decisive approach to tackling insecurity in Nigeria.

Tsiga said negotiations alone cannot end banditry and terrorism. He spoke Thursday in Kaduna while answering questions at a press briefing organized by colleagues, friends and associates of the late retired Maj. Gen. Abubakar Rabe.

Addressing the issue of negotiations with bandits, the retired general described security as a collective responsibility. He questioned the effectiveness of engaging criminal groups without targeting the wider network that supports them.

Drawing from his experience in captivity, Tsiga said terrorist and bandit groups were unlikely to voluntarily disband through talks.

“A more aggressive and coordinated strategy is required to dismantle their operations and restore peace,” he said.

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

Tsiga also highlighted the role of informants and collaborators who allegedly provide support to criminal groups, noting that some operate within local communities and government institutions.

Recalling an incident during his captivity, he alleged that bandit leaders discussed procuring ammunition from individuals with access to government resources, suggesting criminal networks benefit from insider support.

“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 said.

The retired general urged authorities to intensify efforts against banditry and called on communities to actively support security agencies.

“Military operations alone cannot succeed without public cooperation and intelligence sharing,” he said. “If the Army is doing its part and society fails to support those efforts, then we have all failed. Security is a collective responsibility.”

Tsiga further encouraged communities to resist intimidation by criminal elements, arguing that bandits often succeed because of fear rather than superior numbers.

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

He stressed that lasting peace would require a united effort involving security agencies, government institutions and citizens working together to confront criminal networks and their sponsors. (NAN)