Bandits Winning, Service Chiefs Failing — Senator Ningi Fires at FG’s Security Strategy”

Senator Abdul Ningi, who represents Bauchi Central Senatorial District, has voiced doubts about the competence of Nigeria’s current Service Chiefs and top security officials in effectively ending the persistent threat of banditry.

According to reports, the Senate on Wednesday resolved to convene a two-day national security summit involving traditional leaders, security agencies, governors, and experts, aimed at developing strategies to curb the growing insecurity across the country.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja, Senator Ningi highlighted the alarming emergence of new bandit groups in the North Central and North West regions as a sign that the situation is deteriorating.

While acknowledging his personal ties with some of the current Service Chiefs, Ningi expressed skepticism about their ability to rescue the nation from its deepening security crisis, which has persisted for years.

He emphasized that appointments to key security positions should be strictly based on competence, not influenced by ethnicity, religion, or political connections.

The senator criticized the planned summit, suggesting it was not the most effective approach to tackling Nigeria’s entrenched insecurity. Instead, he proposed the formation of a high-powered advisory council made up of proven leaders such as General Victor Malu, General Agwai, and former IGP Smith.

Calling for decisive action from his fellow lawmakers, Ningi urged them to confront the root of the problem head-on.

“I’m not convinced the current Security Chiefs possess the capability to rid the nation of bandits,” he said. “Worse still, the Super Tucano jets — acquired with nearly N1 billion in borrowed funds — remain unused. It’s a colossal waste of taxpayers’ money.

“If these jets have limitations, then why were they purchased in the first place? Where are they, and why haven’t they been deployed?”