Minister of Defence Mohammed Badaru Abubakar has cautioned that bombing bandit hideouts carries risks, as many are located in forests or areas where explosives cannot safely reach.
In an interview with BBC Hausa Service, Badaru said the Armed Forces are making significant progress in tackling banditry across the country, despite recent incidents of school abductions.
He described the ongoing attacks as guerrilla-style tactics, with criminal groups striking intermittently to create fear.
“This is how guerrilla warfare works. There are periods of calm, followed by attacks that shake the nation,” he explained.
While security forces are aware of the bandits’ locations, Badaru noted that some areas are too dangerous for direct strikes, either because civilians could be harmed or because the terrain prevents effective bombing.
“We never claimed the problem is fully resolved. The recent kidnappings of schoolchildren are concerning, and we are examining what went wrong to prevent future incidents,” he added.
