By Blessing Oziwo & Nicholas Ojo
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, says security agencies know the identities and locations of the bandits behind the recent mass abductions, including the attack on St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in Niger State.
Speaking on ARISE News Prime Time on Monday, Onanuga said intelligence operatives have accurate information about the bandits’ movements and hideouts, but cannot launch direct airstrikes due to the high risk of killing civilians being held as hostages.
“The security people know all the bandits operating in that axis. They know them; they know where they operate,” he said.
“But you can’t just bomb those places because our people are living around those locations. They need to be very careful so they don’t end up bombing innocent Nigerians.”
Onanuga recalled a previous military error in Borno State where civilians were mistakenly hit during an airstrike, stressing that security forces must avoid such tragedies.
He also explained that uncertainty remains over the number of abducted students because neither the school nor the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State has provided a complete list of missing persons.
“As of now, the authorities are in the dark about how many people are really missing,” he said. Let us have their names. Let us know what we are looking for.”
The presidential aide alleged that the school principal had “disappeared,” further complicating verification efforts.
He said the bandits deliberately use captives as human shields, a tactic that slows down immediate military response.
“What sometimes restrains security forces is the risk of collateral damage. These criminals abduct our people and use them as shields so they won’t be attacked,” he added.
Onanuga also backed President Tinubu’s directive to redeploy police officers from VIP protection to vulnerable communities, stating that it would significantly enhance frontline security.
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“I read that about 100,000 policemen are guarding VIPs. If you move them into vulnerable areas, it will make a lot of difference,” he said.
Responding to criticism from religious leaders, Onanuga insisted that the government acknowledge the severity of the security crisis in the country.
“This government has never denied that Nigerians are being killed. We know we have problems, and we are making efforts to stem these attacks.”
He revealed that Tinubu is expected to address the nation soon following security consultations.
