Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Alhaji Musa Ungoggo, Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kano State, has sharply criticised the Federal Government’s handling of high‑profile security and justice cases, accusing authorities of applying the law selectively and undermining public confidence. Ungoggo’s remarks came amid ongoing national debates over the prosecution of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and the continued movements of alleged bandit kingpin Bello Turji in parts of north‑west Nigeria.
Addressing journalists in Kano, Ungoggo described what he sees as double standards in the enforcement of Nigeria’s criminal justice system, saying that while Kanu has been relentlessly pursued, arrested abroad, extradited and detained in Nigeria, notorious armed criminals appear to evade arrest and continue to roam freely.
“Nnamdi Kanu was arrested abroad, brought back, prosecuted and is now in custody at a correctional facility in Sokoto. Yet Bello Turji roams freely in Shinkafi, Zamfara State,” Ungoggo said, contrasting the federal government’s unwavering approach in Kanu’s case with what he described as lax enforcement against armed banditry.
Ungoggo’s critique emphasised the perception that uneven application of justice weakens the government’s credibility, especially in the face of persistent insecurity across parts of northern Nigeria. He argued that banditry — marked by killings, kidnappings and attacks on communities — has inflicted widespread suffering in states including Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto, yet leaders of such violence remain at large.
Bello Turji, widely regarded as one of the most notorious figures in Nigeria’s banditry crisis, has been linked by security sources and media reports to numerous violent incidents in the north‑west. Despite military operations and local vigilante efforts aimed at curtailing his activities, residents say the bandit leader continues to influence parts of the forested borderlands, particularly around Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Ungoggo warned that selective enforcement of the law risks deepening mistrust among ordinary Nigerians, heightening ethnic and regional tensions, and discouraging confidence in national institutions. He called on the Federal Government to apply justice fairly and uniformly, regardless of the profile or affiliations of suspects, to demonstrate genuine commitment to the rule of law.
He further urged security agencies to intensify efforts to arrest and prosecute high‑profile bandit leaders, arguing that doing so would not only bring perpetrators to justice but also reassure communities that the government is serious about tackling insecurity.
“The failure to apprehend figures like Bello Turji undermines public confidence in the government’s fight against insecurity,” Ungoggo said. “If known leaders of violent crime are seen to operate without restraint while others are relentlessly pursued, it sends the wrong message about who the system protects.”
Ungoggo’s comments have reignited debate on social media and in public discourse, with many Nigerians echoing concerns about perceived inconsistencies in how the state treats separatist agitation versus armed banditry. Some commentators have described the situation as evidence of regional or political bias, while others argue that it highlights deeper systemic challenges within the security and justice sectors.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Federal Government nor relevant security agencies have issued an official response to Ungoggo’s statements. The absence of a government reaction has further fuelled online discussions, with citizens and analysts offering varied views on the interplay between national security policies, justice, and political pressures.
Observers note that the debate touches on broader anxieties within Nigeria about equity, accountability and the rule of law, particularly in contexts where different regions grapple with distinct but equally severe security threats. While separatist movements and armed banditry both present complex challenges, critics like Ungoggo argue that consistent enforcement of the law is essential to maintaining a cohesive national framework of justice.
In the meantime, communities affected by bandit violence continue to call for stronger actions to protect civilians and bring violent actors to justice, emphasising that public trust hinges not only on arrests and prosecutions but on visible results in improved security and safety on the ground.
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