A prominent political strategist, Baba Yusuf, has raised fresh concerns over Nigeria’s growing insecurity.
He warned that the situation could deteriorate to the point where bandits begin to infiltrate key national institutions, including the National Assembly.
Yusuf spoke on Saturday during an interview on Arise News. He described the current security crisis as deeply troubling.
According to him, the influence of bandits is expanding beyond rural communities and could soon threaten the country’s political structure.
He said many communities affected by banditry no longer rely on the government for protection. Instead, residents now turn to criminal groups for safety and conflict resolution. In some areas, locals reportedly pay taxes to these groups in exchange for protection.
“Very soon bandits will be in the Senate and the House of Reps, because Nigerians are paying them tax in the north. People are beginning to have confidence in them,” he warned.
Yusuf explained that this shift in loyalty shows a dangerous loss of trust in state authority. He noted that when citizens begin to see criminals as protectors, it weakens the legitimacy of the government.
He also pointed out that bandits are no longer limited to a few regions. Their activities, he said, are spreading into states like Niger and Kwara. At the same time, attacks in Benue and Plateau have become more frequent and deadly.
According to him, these groups now operate with boldness. He claimed they attack military personnel, wear security uniforms, and even engage in negotiations without facing consequences. This, he said, shows a failure in the country’s security response.
Yusuf criticised the government’s approach to tackling the crisis. He argued that the response has been slow and often filled with political statements instead of real action. He called for urgent and sincere measures to address the threat before it worsens.
He described the situation as an existential danger to Nigeria. In his view, if left unchecked, it could erode governance and destabilise the country further.
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