Former Defence Headquarters (DHQ) spokesman, Major General John Enenche (retd.), has urged the Federal Government to adopt a tougher stance against bandits, kidnappers and terrorists, insisting that they should be treated as enemies of the Nigerian people. He emphasized that the authorities must Treat Bandits as Enemies in order to address the ongoing crisis effectively.
Enenche made the call while reacting to the recent abductions of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo and Borno states, warning that claims that the country is winning the war against insecurity do not reflect realities on the ground.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Lunchtime Politics on Thursday, the retired army general said the persistent incidents of kidnappings, terrorism and banditry across the country indicate that the security challenge remains far from over. He believes that to genuinely make progress, the security approach must Treat Bandits as Enemies rather than mere criminals.
“You will think that we are winning, but what is on the ground does not show it. I’m speaking objectively as a child of God and as a man who believes in saying the truth,” he said.
According to him, it is difficult to claim victory over insurgency and terrorism when communities continue to suffer attacks and innocent citizens are still being abducted. Treat Bandits as Enemies is a policy Enenche feels is necessary for true change.
“How can we say that we have won the war against insurgency, terrorism, banditry and kidnapping? How do you separate war from peace in what we are seeing today?” he asked.
The retired general urged policymakers, security experts, community leaders and other stakeholders to abandon any notion that the country has overcome its security challenges.
“I want every Nigerian, policymakers, strategic Nigerians, elders and leaders to forget about that narrative and throw it into the dustbin because the war is still there,” he stated.
Enenche pointed to recent cases of insecurity, including the kidnapping of a senior military officer who succeeded him in office, the abduction of relatives of a former minister, and the recent kidnappings involving schoolchildren in Oyo and Borno states.
“The other day I was sitting down and the officer who handed over to me was kidnapped. Before that, we heard about the relatives of a former minister, the schoolchildren in Ibadan and the incident in Borno State,” he said.
While commending the efforts of the military and other law enforcement agencies, Enenche stressed that current measures appear insufficient in the face of the growing security threats confronting the country.
“Of course, I commend the efforts of our law enforcement agencies. However, it appears that the madness is overwhelming the efforts we are putting in,” he added.
He urged authorities not to relent in the fight against insecurity, insisting that criminal elements must be confronted with greater determination. In his words, Nigeria must Treat Bandits as Enemies if it hopes to restore true security and peace.
“We cannot fold our hands and sit down. Let us treat them as enemies of Nigerians. It is as simple as that,” Enenche said.
