Civil Society Urges Military To Push Against Banditry Across Nigeria

Nigerians want the military to keep going. And they are saying so publicly.

The Society for Citizens Safety has urged Nigeria’s Armed Forces to sustain and intensify their ongoing operations against terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers across the country. In a statement issued on Monday, June 8, the group said recent military successes demonstrate that criminal networks can be defeated — but only through sustained pressure and intelligence-driven operations.

What Prompted the Statement

The group cited three recent developments as evidence that the military’s approach is working. First, the rescue of 360 abducted residents of Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State by troops of Operation Hadin Kai in the Mandara Mountains. Second, airstrikes in Borno that reportedly killed several terrorists and destroyed a gun truck. Third, the arrest of suspected bandit informants in Niger State by Operation Savannah Shield.

Together, these operations demonstrate coordinated military activity across Nigeria’s most troubled regions. Consequently, the SCS described the results as encouraging — while stressing that the work is far from over.

The Message to the Military

Secretary Gambo Abdullahi, signing on behalf of the group, said Nigerians remain firmly behind the military in efforts to restore peace. He urged the Armed Forces to maintain the momentum and not ease pressure until criminal and terrorist networks are fully dismantled.

He also highlighted that targeting collaborators — the informants and logistics providers who support bandit groups from within communities — is as important as targeting the fighters themselves. Furthermore, he praised the recovery of ammunition stockpiles as a sign that intelligence-sharing between security agencies is improving.

The Broader Picture

Security observers note that civilian public support for the military is an important factor in the effectiveness of counter-insurgency and anti-banditry operations. When communities trust the military and share information, operations are more successful. The SCS statement reflects a degree of public confidence that security agencies should not take for granted.

The challenge now is to convert these tactical successes into lasting security. That requires not just military force, but economic investment, community engagement, and long-term commitment from all levels of government. Still, for this week at least, the news from Nigeria’s security front is better than it has been in some time.