Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has warned that banditry in Nigeria has evolved into a highly lucrative criminal enterprise, making it increasingly unrealistic to expect those involved to abandon violence voluntarily. His remarks add to the growing national debate on why years of negotiations, amnesty offers and appeals for dialogue have largely failed to stem the tide of insecurity across large parts of the country.
El-Rufai, who governed Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023, argued that the economic incentives now driving banditry far outweigh the benefits of legitimate livelihoods previously available to many of those involved. According to him, the scale of profit obtainable through criminal activities has fundamentally altered the cost-benefit calculation for bandits operating across the North-West and parts of North-Central Nigeria.
He illustrated this point by comparing traditional cattle trading with the proceeds of banditry. El-Rufai said a Fulani cattle trader could spend close to a year working to earn around ₦100,000, while the same individual could now make more than ₦1 million from a single banditry-related transaction. In such circumstances, he noted, appeals to conscience or calls to return to pastoral life were unlikely to succeed.
The former governor stressed that this economic reality explains why repeated attempts to persuade bandits to surrender their weapons or embrace rehabilitation programmes have produced limited and often short-lived results. He argued that when crime becomes more profitable than lawful enterprise, moral persuasion alone is insufficient to dismantle it.
Banditry has plagued several Nigerian states for over a decade, with Kaduna, Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto and Niger states among the worst affected. Armed groups have carried out mass kidnappings for ransom, raided villages, rustled cattle, destroyed farmlands and killed civilians, creating a persistent climate of fear and humanitarian distress. Thousands have been displaced, while farming and local trade in many rural communities have been severely disrupted.
El-Rufai’s comments reflect the frustration of many state officials who have had to manage the social and economic fallout of the crisis. During his tenure as governor, Kaduna State experienced a wave of attacks on rural communities and transport routes, alongside high-profile kidnappings that drew national and international attention. The state government adopted a hardline posture at various times, publicly opposing ransom payments and pushing for stronger military action.
In his latest remarks, El-Rufai said the only realistic path to ending banditry lies in a firm and sustained response from the government. He argued that military pressure must be relentless and coordinated, targeting the operational capabilities, supply routes and leadership structures of armed groups. According to him, half-measures or sporadic offensives merely allow bandits time to regroup and adapt.
He further emphasised the importance of legal consequences, noting that force alone is insufficient without a functioning justice system to prosecute offenders. El-Rufai said perpetrators must be arrested, investigated and tried in accordance with the law, adding that impunity only emboldens criminal networks and fuels further violence.
The former governor’s stance aligns with calls from several security analysts who argue that banditry has transitioned from a loosely organised survival strategy into a sophisticated criminal economy. Over time, armed groups have reportedly diversified into kidnapping rings, arms trafficking and cross-border smuggling, often operating with informants and financial backers who profit from the chaos.
Despite this, successive governments have faced criticism for inconsistent strategies. While military operations have intensified in recent years, they have often been accompanied by peace deals or amnesty programmes at the state level, some of which included cash incentives or promises of rehabilitation. Critics argue that such approaches, when not carefully designed, risk rewarding violence and incentivising others to take up arms.
El-Rufai’s remarks implicitly challenge the effectiveness of these softer approaches, suggesting that without altering the economic foundations of banditry, peace initiatives are unlikely to hold. He maintained that sustained pressure, rather than temporary truces, is necessary to force armed groups to reconsider their options.
His comments also raise broader questions about rural poverty, governance and state presence in remote areas. While he acknowledged that many bandits originate from communities facing economic hardship, El-Rufai suggested that the current scale of profit has gone far beyond subsistence survival. In his view, banditry has become an industry driven by greed as much as grievance.
The federal government has repeatedly pledged to tackle insecurity through a combination of military operations, intelligence gathering and socio-economic interventions. Security forces have launched several offensives against bandit camps, while authorities have also explored dialogue in certain contexts. However, the persistence of attacks continues to test public confidence in these measures.
El-Rufai’s intervention comes at a time when Nigerians are increasingly vocal about the human and economic cost of insecurity. Farmers unable to access their land, traders afraid to travel and communities living under constant threat have all called for more decisive action. The perception that criminals can reap enormous financial rewards with limited consequences has deepened public anger.
Supporters of a tougher stance argue that restoring security is a prerequisite for any meaningful development or reconciliation. They contend that without first degrading the power of armed groups, broader programmes aimed at addressing poverty and marginalisation will struggle to gain traction.
At the same time, human rights advocates caution that military operations must be conducted within the bounds of the law, warning that abuses against civilians can undermine legitimacy and fuel further resentment. Balancing force with accountability remains a central challenge for policymakers.
El-Rufai’s comments, however, leave little doubt about his position. He believes the current reality demands hard choices and unwavering resolve from the state. According to him, only when banditry is stripped of its profitability through sustained military pressure and credible legal sanctions will those involved have a genuine incentive to abandon violence.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with complex security threats, his remarks underscore a growing consensus among some leaders that the era of expecting voluntary surrender without significant pressure may be over. Whether the government adopts such an approach consistently, and with adequate safeguards, will likely shape the trajectory of the fight against banditry in the years ahead.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments