Bandits Reportedly Target NASS, Analyst Warns

By Paul Joseph

A political strategist, Baba Yusuf, has expressed deep concern over Nigeria’s worsening security crisis, warning that unchecked banditry could eventually infiltrate the country’s highest legislative body, the National Assembly.

Speaking during an interview on Arise News on Saturday, Yusuf described the situation as alarming, noting that criminal groups are steadily expanding their influence beyond rural communities.

He warned that if urgent steps are not taken, bandits could begin to exert influence within key national institutions, including the Senate and the House of Representatives.

According to Yusuf, many communities affected by banditry have lost confidence in government protection and now rely on these armed groups for security and dispute resolution. In some cases, residents reportedly pay levies to the criminals in exchange for safety.

“Very soon, bandits will find their way into the Senate and House of Representatives, because people are already paying them taxes in parts of the North and are beginning to trust them,” he said.

He explained that this growing reliance on non-state actors reflects a dangerous erosion of trust in government authority, warning that it undermines the legitimacy of the state.

Yusuf further noted that banditry is no longer confined to isolated areas, with incidents spreading to states such as Niger and Kwara, while attacks in Benue and Plateau continue to escalate in frequency and severity.

He also raised concerns over the increasing boldness of these groups, alleging that they now target military personnel, impersonate security forces, and engage in negotiations without consequences—an indication, he said, of systemic weaknesses in Nigeria’s security response.

Criticising the government’s handling of the crisis, Yusuf argued that responses have been slow and often dominated by rhetoric rather than decisive action. He called for urgent, practical measures to address the growing threat.

Describing the situation as an existential risk, he warned that failure to act decisively could further weaken governance structures and destabilise the country.