Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has explained why some bandit enclaves cannot be targeted with airstrikes, noting that several hideouts lie deep within forests where explosives have limited impact. He spoke during an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, offering new insight into the tactical limits facing security forces.
Badaru said the Armed Forces are closing in on the architects of banditry despite recent school abductions that have unsettled the country. He described the latest attacks as part of a pattern common in guerrilla conflicts, where armed groups strike suddenly after long stretches of quiet to spread fear.
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He stressed that while security agencies are aware of several bandit locations, direct strikes remain difficult. Many of the camps are close to civilian settlements, raising the risk of unintended casualties. Others sit in dense terrain where bombs cannot reach their targets effectively.
He noted that the government has never claimed total victory over banditry, but acknowledged that the fresh kidnapping of schoolchildren has prompted serious concern within the security establishment. According to him, the Armed Forces are reviewing recent lapses and assessing the best approach to stop a recurrence.
