Bureau Chief Outlines Steps Federal, State Governments Must Take to Defeat Terrorism, Banditry
Nigeria’s security landscape is undergoing renewed scrutiny as federal and state authorities intensify coordinated efforts to dismantle terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping networks that have threatened peace and stability across the country.
Security experts argue that the fight against violent criminal groups can only be won through a combination of intelligence-driven operations, socio-economic reforms, strengthened institutions, and sustained inter-governmental collaboration.
According to Dr (Barr) Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, Director-General, Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Nigeria must resist the temptation to politicize insecurity, stressing that such actions only embolden criminal networks and undermine national security responses.
He noted in a statement on Tuesday, that terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and its affiliates in the North-East, alongside armed bandit networks operating in the North-West and parts of the North-Central, have evolved into complex criminal enterprises sustained by kidnapping for ransom, arms trafficking, and control of ungoverned spaces.
Dr Oghenesivbe warned that ransom payments often made under extreme pressure, have unintentionally strengthened these networks, enabling them to procure weapons, recruit fighters, and expand operational capacity. “When kidnapping becomes profitable, insecurity becomes self-sustaining,” he noted.
He further observed that insecurity is driven by both global and domestic factors, including poverty, unemployment, weak governance structures, porous borders, corruption, and the widespread availability of small arms. In Nigeria, these challenges are worsened by youth unemployment, communal conflicts, farmer-herder tensions, weak intelligence coordination, and delayed prosecution of arrested suspects.
Across several states, vast forest belts and remote settlements have become safe havens for criminal groups, allowing them to regroup, plan attacks, and evade security forces.
To reverse the trend, Dr Oghenesivbe called for stronger federal intervention through enhanced intelligence gathering, modern surveillance technology, improved border security, and deeper collaboration among security agencies. He stressed the need for intelligence-led operations targeting financiers, logistics networks, and collaborators of criminal groups.
He also emphasized that military action alone is insufficient, urging massive investment in education, skills acquisition, agriculture, and youth empowerment to reduce the vulnerability of unemployed youths to recruitment by criminal gangs.
At the sub-national level, state governments are increasingly adopting community-based security strategies, including the use of local intelligence structures, vigilante collaboration frameworks, and deployment of modern surveillance tools such as drones and communication systems.
Commending governance efforts in Delta State, Dr Oghenesivbe praised Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration for its proactive handling of security-related matters. He noted that the state government has strengthened collaboration with security agencies, supported intelligence gathering, and implemented youth empowerment and community development programmes that have contributed to improved peace and stability.
He added that these efforts have been complemented by targeted operations against kidnappers, armed robbers, and cult groups, resulting in improved security outcomes across several communities in the state.
However, he cautioned that emerging threats require continuous adaptation and proactive measures. He recommended intensified surveillance of highways, riverine areas, forests, and interstate corridors, alongside greater use of technology-driven security systems and real-time monitoring platforms.
Dr Oghenesivbe further stressed the importance of stronger synergy between traditional rulers, community leaders, vigilante groups, and formal security agencies, noting that intelligence sharing at the grassroots level remains critical to success.
He also called for expanded youth engagement programmes, stronger anti-drug campaigns, and increased economic opportunities to address the socio-economic drivers of insecurity. According to him, sustainable peace can only be achieved when citizens become active partners in security management.
He concluded that insecurity remains a national emergency requiring unity of purpose across all levels of government. “Nigeria can defeat terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping, but only through sustained commitment, strong leadership, and coordinated action,” he said.
Dr Oghenesivbe warned that politicizing insecurity undermines national efforts and strengthens criminal networks, adding that security must remain a shared responsibility beyond political, ethnic, or religious considerations.
