Retired Brig.-Gen. Maharazu Tsiga, a former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has urged a tougher stance on Nigeria’s insecurity, saying talks alone will not end banditry and terrorism.
Tsiga spoke on Thursday in Kaduna at a press briefing organised by colleagues, friends and associates of the late retired Maj.-Gen. Abubakar Rabe. He warned that dealing only with foot soldiers misses the bigger picture.
Drawing on his time in captivity, Tsiga said terrorist and bandit groups will not simply fold because of negotiations. “These people are human beings like us; they fear death and they fear being confronted. If we remove that fear through decisive action and face them squarely, we will achieve more meaningful results than endless negotiations,” he said.
He also pointed to informants and collaborators inside communities and government institutions. Recalling an incident during his captivity, he alleged bandit leaders spoke about sourcing ammunition from people with access to government resources — a sign, he said, that insiders profit from the violence.
“Who exactly are we negotiating with? You may negotiate with the bandits, but those supplying them and profiting from the conflict will not allow peace to prevail because they are more interested in financial gain than the lives and property of innocent citizens,” he said.
Tsiga urged stronger action by authorities and asked communities to support security agencies with intelligence. “If the Army is doing its part and society fails to support those efforts, then we have all failed. Security is a collective responsibility,” he said. He added: “When only a few armed men can force hundreds or even thousands of people to flee, it shows the need for collective action. Communities must work together with security agencies to deny criminals the space to operate.”
He stressed that lasting peace needs a united effort from security agencies, government and citizens. (NAN)
