Former Nigerian defense chief, TY Danjuma, challenges Chief of Defense Staff, General Musa, to take decisive action against banditry and killings in the country.

Gen Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (retd), who previously served as Chief of Army Staff, has urged the military’s higher-ranking officers led by Gen Christopher Musa – the current Chief of Defense Staff – to promptly put an end to banditry and senseless killings.

On Tuesday in Abuja, during the presentation of a book titled “Big Boots: Lessons From My Military Service” authored by Maj Gen Solomon Udounwa (retd), an octogenarian ex-army chief voiced his charge.

Gen TY Danjuma (retd) addressed the current defence chief and other serving or retired military top brass at the event, stressing that it was a responsibility of all active officers to put an end to banditry and senseless killings perpetrated by marauders across Nigeria.

“We need to put a stop to the banditry and killings plaguing our nation as soon as we can,” commented the ex-Chief of Army Staff.

“Those of you who are still servicing, the responsibilities rest solely on your shoulders. No excuses will be accepted under any circumstances. May God bless both you and our country.”

The defence chief stated that the challenges faced in combating banditry and terrorism will not intimidate or discourage the Armed Forces.

He promised Gen TY Danjuma that the military would not falter but rather defeat the blood-thirsty gang known as bandits.

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Nigeria’s Armed Forces is fully committed, devoted, and determined to reinstating peace and security in our beloved nation.

Gen Musa told TY Danjuma, “We won’t be discouraged. Your records have taught us a great deal, and we can’t afford to fail – nor will we.”

The areas of Nigeria categorized as North-West and North Central have become a breeding ground for ruthless criminals commonly referred to as bandits.

In the past year, kidnappers in Nigeria received ₦1.04bn as ransom payments according to a report from SBM Intelligence, a security intelligence company specializing in information gathering.

According to the company’s research, during the reviewed timeframe there were at least 1,130 incidents in which 7,568 individuals were abducted throughout the country.

During the period mentioned, ransom kidnappers requested at least ₦10,995,090,000 (around $6.8 million) but received a mere 9.5% of that amount – ₦1,0481100- indicating their reduced success rate in targeting victims.

The study of those who have been victimized.

According to the report, Zamfara, Kaduna and Katsina have the highest numbers of incidents and victims among 1,130 kidnapping cases. Specifically, in Zamfara there were 132 incidents with 1,639 victims; in Kaduna there were113 incidences with 1,113 victims; while Katsina reported119 occurrences with887victims.

On average, the firm stated that every attempted kidnapping results in one fatality.