Bandits and terrorists are hiding in forests where b0mbs can’t reach them – Defence Minister

Bandits and terrorists are hiding in forests where bombs can’t reach them – Defence Minister

Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar discussed this issue in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service.

He emphasized the dangers of bombing these hideouts, noting that the Armed Forces are close to defeating banditry in the country, even amid recent school kidnappings.

Badaru pointed out that the pattern of attacks resembles guerrilla tactics. Criminal groups strike unexpectedly to create fear.

“This is how guerrilla warfare operates. There are calm times followed by attacks that alarm the nation,” he explained.

He acknowledged they know the locations of these groups, but some areas are risky for civilians. Additionally, some forests are inaccessible to bombs.

“We never claimed the problem was fully resolved. However, the recent kidnappings of schoolchildren concern us.

We are analyzing what went wrong and how to avoid it in the future,” he added.