Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai (rtd), a former Chief of Army Staff, has questioned assertions that security services are unable to find kidnappers and bandits who publicly communicate and share films from their hiding places.
Authorities are capable of tracking such criminals, according to the former Nigerian ambassador to the Benin Republic.
According to PUNCH Online, gunmen kidnapped students and instructors from three schools in Oyo State’s Orire Local Government Area. One of the teachers was then beheaded.
In response to worries about the growing use of social media and video recordings by criminal organizations operating throughout the nation, Buratai stated during an interview on TVC on Monday.
The retired lieutenant general stated that he did not think security services were incapable of tracking down robbers who often make their operations public.
“I don’t believe they were unable to find.” He stated, “I don’t think they can find these bandits that flaunt their loot or whatever activities they do if they can find regular people or social media influencers.”
Buratai hinted that there can be justifications for security agencies’ operational choices without explicitly criticizing them.
He remarked, “I think they might have their reasons, but I wouldn’t want to say it’s a capacity-building challenge.”
The former head of the army emphasized the necessity of bolstering Nigeria’s security framework through ongoing recruiting, training, and enhanced security personnel welfare.
“All security agencies need to be continuously building their capacity,” he stated. “More workers are required. We must enlist more soldiers, operatives, and police officers.
Additionally, he emphasized the significance of improved living circumstances and frequent retraining for security staff.
They ought to receive training and retraining. Their well-being is crucial. Let’s provide decent accommodations. “They have to have decent accommodations,” he remarked.
In response to a question on whether Nigeria’s armed forces have specialized teams capable of performing risky hostage rescue operations, Buratai stated that they do.
“We have specialized units within the military that are trained for such rescue missions, but I won’t tell you exactly or be specific,” he stated.
He claims that the Nigerian Army’s Special Forces and the Nigerian Navy’s Special Boat Service are prepared for rescue missions and VIP security tasks.
For these kinds of rescue operations, the Special Boat Service has received training. There are Special Forces in the Nigerian Army as well. They can defend VIPs and perform rescue operations,” he stated.
However, Buratai pointed out that worries about hostage safety and the possibility of collateral harm frequently influence operational choices in kidnapping instances.
“The location and individuals involved, the sensitivity of that kind of kidnapping, and the risk of collateral damage may play a very important part,” he continued.
Buratai also supported the National Counter Terrorism Center’s growth under the Office of the National Security Adviser, arguing that better coordination and technological capability will bolster the battle against kidnapping and terrorism.
The Counter Terrorism Center is part of the Office of the National Security Adviser. He stated, “I believe the commander there is a highly strategic and professional officer.”
He suggested creating state branches of the center with cutting-edge equipment and functional spaces.They will be able to do a lot in cooperation with the military and security services if it can be further expanded to include state branches of the Counter Terrorism Center with highly advanced equipment and excellent operations centers or situation rooms, Buratai stated.
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