Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, has explained why the Nigerian military was able to swiftly address unrest in Benin Republic but has struggled to contain banditry and terrorism within Nigeria.

Speaking on ‘Prime Time’, a programme on Arise Television, Onanuga noted that bandits and terrorists often use innocent civilians as human shields, making military operations more complex than confronting a conventional army.

“They kidnap soft targets, which means our forces must exercise extreme caution to avoid harming those being held hostage,” he said.

Onanuga contrasted this with the recent attack in Benin Republic, where insurgents targeted a military base with precision. “In Benin, the attackers coordinated exactly where to strike. It’s different from situations in Nigeria, where bandits conceal themselves among civilians,” he explained.

He further likened the challenge to guerrilla warfare, noting that even superpowers like the United States struggled to locate guerrilla fighters in Afghanistan.

“It’s not an easy war, but the country is poised to find solutions to ensure that banditry and terrorism end in a very short time,” Onanuga added.