Insecurity: Troops Can Track Bandits If They Can Locate Ordinary Citizens — Buratai

Former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, has said Nigerian troops have the capability to locate and track down bandits if they are able to trace ordinary citizens across the country.

Buratai made the remark on Monday during an interview on TVC, while responding to questions on whether security forces have the capacity to rescue abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State.

His comments come in the aftermath of the recent abduction of pupils and teachers in parts of Oyo State by armed gunmen, an incident that has intensified national debate on Nigeria’s security situation.

Speaking on the issue, Buratai argued that the ability of security agencies to locate individuals suggests that tracking criminal groups should not be technically impossible.

“I don’t believe security agencies cannot locate bandits if they can locate ordinary citizens and social media influencers,” he said.

He, however, noted that while operational challenges may exist, there is still a need for improved capacity across all security agencies in the country.

Buratai added that strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture would require increased recruitment and training of personnel across the military and police formations.

He said, “We need more troops to be recruited, more operatives, more policemen need to be recruited, trained and retrained.”

The former army chief emphasised that capacity building remains critical to improving response time and operational effectiveness in tackling kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes.

His remarks add to ongoing national conversations about Nigeria’s security challenges, particularly the rising cases of kidnappings targeting schools, highways and rural communities.

Security agencies have continued operations aimed at rescuing abducted victims and dismantling armed groups operating in different parts of the country.