Colonel Sani Bello (retd), a former military administrator of the old Kano State, has called on the Nigerian government to bolster efforts against banditry and insurgency by recalling retired soldiers and embedding police officers within military units. Speaking to Premier Radio Kano, Bello asserted that the state possesses the intelligence and tactical capacity to neutralize criminal leaders, suggesting that a lack of political willpower is the primary obstacle.
Bello pointed out that if authorities can track ordinary citizens for minor offenses, they should have no difficulty locating notorious bandits like Turji, who openly use communication devices. He dismissed claims that the military lacks the necessary weaponry, noting that the government holds significant technological advantages, including surveillance drones and superior artillery, which remain unmatched by insurgent groups.
To address the acute manpower shortages within the armed forces, where battalions are currently operating well below historical capacity, Bello suggested a rapid expansion strategy similar to the one employed during the Nigerian Civil War. By providing short-term combat orientation to police personnel and re-enlisting retired veterans for brief service periods, he believes the state could significantly increase its troop count.
While acknowledging that frontline soldiers are currently overstretched, the former diplomat emphasized that the government must treat the national security crisis with greater urgency and decisive action. He argued that transitioning from current operational methods to a more robust, large-scale recruitment model is essential to effectively countering the widespread threat of guerrilla warfare across the country.
