The lawmaker representing Kebbi South Senatorial District, Garba Maidoki, on Wednesday, called for a permanent solution to banditry across Northern Nigeria and other regions battling rising insecurity.
Maidoki made the demand during plenary in Abuja, warning that the country must adopt a clear, consistent strategy rather than wavering between dialogue and combat.
“We know who these bandits are, we know where they are, we know what they want,” he stated on the floor of the Senate.
He questioned why decisive action had not been taken despite the widespread knowledge of the identities and locations of the criminal elements terrorising communities.
The comment by Maidoki came as recent abductions triggered renewed national concern.
Naijaonpoint reported that no fewer than 38 members of the Christ Apostolic Church in Kwara State were abducted by bandits before later regaining their freedom a few days later.
Similarly, over 200 schoolchildren were kidnapped from a Catholic private school in Niger State, with 50 reportedly escaping and reuniting with their families. House of Representatives
Reacting directly to the escalating crisis, the senator urged the government to commit to one path and execute it fully, insisting that uncertainty only empowers bandits.
“If we are going to negotiate, do it and finish it; if we are going to fight, we fight it to finish. What is the big deal?” he said.
He accused authorities of shielding perpetrators through silence, asking pointedly why information was being suppressed despite the open evidence of their operations.
“We know everything. What are we covering?” he asked, lamenting that transparency has been sacrificed at a time when it is needed most.
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