Why military can’t launch airstrikes on bandit hideouts – Tinubu’s spokesman

President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, says security agencies already have intelligence on the identities and locations of bandit groups behind recent mass kidnappings, including the attack on St Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State.

Onanuga gave the explanation during an appearance on ARISE News’ Prime Time programme on Monday.

He noted that despite having detailed information, operations are often limited due to concerns about harming civilians who are being held by the armed groups.

“The security people, they know all the bandits that are operating in that axis. They know them. They know where they operate,” he said.

According to him, the government cannot simply order aerial bombardments on the criminal camps because of the risk posed to residents living nearby.

“Our people are living around where they operate. So you can’t just go there. They need to be very careful that in the course of chasing these bandits, they don’t go and bomb innocent Nigerians,” he said.

He referenced a previous military error in Borno State to stress the need for caution.

“Some years ago in Borno State, when the military thought they had the right satellite connection, they bombed the wrong people. They must avoid that kind of mistake,” he said.

Onanuga added that determining the exact number of abducted students has been difficult because neither the school authorities nor the Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria has provided full records.

“As of now, the authorities are in the dark as to how many people are really missing. You said students are missing — let us have their names. Let us know what we are looking for,” he said.

He also claimed that the school principal had “disappeared”, a development he said had further complicated efforts to verify the figures.

“For the security, they found it very strange that they are not cooperating. What is the agenda?” he asked.

On why troops do not immediately raid bandit camps after abductions, he explained that the criminals often use victims as human shields.

“What sometimes restrains them from going after them is the risk of collateral damage. They go about abducting our people and use them as a shield so that they will not be attacked,” he said.

He added that the armed groups are aware of the consequences of prolonging hostage situations.

“They know that if they keep those people and refuse to release them, the next thing will be for the government to embark on a kinetic action and attack their base,” he said.

Onanuga also defended the President’s directive redeploying officers from VIP protection to operational duties, saying the decision would bolster security in high-risk areas.

“I read today about 100,000 policemen guarding VIPs. If you share them out to vulnerable areas, that will make a lot of difference,” he said.

Responding to criticisms from church leaders, he maintained that the administration fully acknowledges the gravity of the security challenges.

“This government has never denied that Nigerians are being killed. We know we have problems, but we are making efforts to ensure that we stem all these things,” he said.

He added that the President is expected to speak to the nation soon after ongoing security briefings.

“I think he will do so very soon,” he said.