The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has explained why Nigerian security agencies cannot launch airstrikes on bandit hideouts, despite having intelligence on their locations and identities.
Onanuga made the disclosure during an interview on ARISE News’ Prime Time programme on Monday, referencing recent mass abductions, including the attack on St Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in Niger State. He said while operatives know where the bandits operate, direct strikes are constrained by the risk of harming civilians held hostage.
“Our people are living around where they operate. So you can’t just go there,” he said, noting that past military errors, such as mistaken bombings in Borno State, highlight the dangers of collateral damage.
The presidential aide also pointed to difficulties in verifying the number of abducted students, citing uncooperative school officials and a missing school principal as obstacles. “Authorities are in the dark as to how many people are really missing,” he said.
Onanuga explained that bandits often use abductees as shields, making immediate military action risky. He stressed that the government is prepared to take kinetic action if hostages are not released, but careful planning is required to protect innocent lives.
He added that President Tinubu’s directive to redeploy officers from VIP protection to frontline duties would strengthen security in vulnerable areas. Responding to criticism from religious leaders, Onanuga reaffirmed that the administration recognises the severity of the crisis and is actively working to address it.
He further revealed that the President is expected to address the nation soon regarding ongoing security consultations.
