A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Mr. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has called on Nigeria’s service chiefs to intensify their crackdown against terrorists and bandits, and urged them to be “more ruthless” in protecting the lives of innocent citizens across the country.
Speaking with journalists on Sunday in Osogbo, the former lawmaker expressed concern over what he described as the “persistent and senseless killings” by suspected bandits and terrorists in parts of Kwara, Borno, Zamfara, and Niger States.
Oyintiloye, who served as a member of the defunct APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), said that while the security agencies have been making commendable efforts, the level of bloodshed remains alarming and unacceptable.
He said, “There is no doubt that the service chiefs are doing their best against these terrorists, but they need to be more ruthless with them.
“People are tired, and many of them are living in fear of the unknown due to the activities of those perpetrating violent crimes in the country.”
The APC chieftain noted that Nigerians are living in fear and anxiety despite the measures being put in place to address insecurity.
He therefore urged the heads of security agencies to “take the bull by the horns” and ensure that both the perpetrators and their sponsors are decisively dealt with.
“The killings in some parts of the north and other regions must stop. The service chiefs must not rest on their oars until they win this war against terrorist groups. They also need to look inward and fish out those who might be sabotaging their efforts from within the system,” he emphasised.
Oyintiloye noted the importance of restoring public confidence in the nation’s security architecture, stressing that Nigerians deserve to live without fear or anxiety.
He urged the service chiefs to work closely with local security networks and community stakeholders in intelligence gathering.
According to him, involving residents in early information sharing would go a long way in preventing future attacks
“People living in different communities understand their environment better. Engaging them in intelligence gathering will help detect and prevent terrorist activities before they happen,” Oyintiloye advised.
The former legislator also emphasised the need to cripple the financial lifelines of terrorist organizations operating within the country, saying such a move would complement ongoing military operations.
While commending President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly for their continued support and adequate budgetary provisions for security agencies, Oyintiloye expressed optimism that Nigeria would eventually overcome its security challenges.
“With the cooperation of all stakeholders, acts of faith, patriotism, honesty, and the positive mindset of Nigerians, our nation will surely triumph over the menace of insecurity,” he said.
Oyintiloye’s reaction follows concern over the resurgence of banditry and terrorist attacks in several northern states.
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