Arewa Think Tank Applauds Tinubu’s Directive To End Banditry By 2025
The Arewa Think Tank (ATT), a prominent Northern advocacy group, has expressed optimism over President Bola Tinubu’s directive to the military to end banditry in 2025. The group’s convener, Muhammad Yakubu, described the President’s decision as a bold and welcome development that has reignited public confidence in the administration’s commitment to addressing insecurity.
According to Yakubu, the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, recently disclosed the directive during a meeting with All Progressives Congress (APC) members in Gusau, Zamfara State. The President’s order mandates the military to intensify efforts and ensure that banditry, along with other forms of insecurity, is eradicated by the end of next year.
“We are happy to hear that Matawalle confirmed President Tinubu’s directive and assured that the military would do everything to comply,” Yakubu said in a statement issued in Kaduna on Monday. He commended the President for prioritizing national security and avoiding political interference in tackling insecurity.
Yakubu highlighted the allocation of the largest share of the 2025 national budget to defence as another indication of President Tinubu’s resolve to combat insecurity. He urged the government to deploy additional troops and military equipment to the North-West and other affected regions, emphasizing the need for comprehensive action against banditry and kidnapping.
However, the ATT convener cautioned that the success of the directive hinges on the military’s ability to address the issue of informants aiding bandits. “The Federal Government and military chiefs must tackle the problem of informants within communities, as they are a significant obstacle to defeating the bandits,” Yakubu warned.
He also called on politicians to refrain from politicizing security matters, noting that such actions undermine military efforts and morale. “Security is a collective responsibility, and mixing politics with it only serves to discourage the armed forces,” he added.
Yakubu urged Nigerians to exercise patience and allow the President’s strategy to take effect, expressing optimism that tangible progress would be visible within the next two years. “By the time President Tinubu completes two years in office, we believe Nigerians will have no choice but to commend him for a job well done,” he concluded.
The ATT remains hopeful that this directive will mark a turning point in Nigeria’s fight against insecurity, bringing much-needed peace and stability to affected regions.
