Senator Sani Identifies Northern Origin of Terrorist and Bandit Groups in Nigeria

Senator Shehu Sani has made a bold assertion, declaring that the terrorists and bandits causing havoc in Nigeria's North-East and North-West are not foreign infiltrators but homegrown individuals from the region itself. During an engaging discussion on national television, Sani who previously represented Kaduna Central in Nigeria’s 9th Assembly didn’t hold back as he delved into the ongoing security crisis. Speaking at length about the roots of insecurity in northern Nigeria, he firmly stated that resolving these issues would require a proactive and honest approach from the region’s leaders. Addressing the widespread belief that these armed groups are backed by foreign elements, Sani dismissed the speculation as misleading. Contrary to claims attributing the violence to people from countries like Mali, Malawi, or other parts of Africa, he emphatically pointed to locals within the region as the primary actors. He clarified that those engaging in these criminal activities in the North-East are not foreign operatives from places like Congo, Libya, or Egypt they are Northerners and predominantly Muslims. Similarly, when it comes to the banditry in the North-West, Sani underlined that these are not militants from Senegal, Morocco, Guinea, or Guinea-Bissau; rather, they are Fulani people native to the area.

He stressed that solving this issue rests squarely in the hands of northern leaders. These perpetrators are not strangers who speak unfamiliar tongues. They communicate in languages deeply rooted in the region, such as Fulani, Hausa, and Kanuri languages spoken by many in Northern Nigeria. Speaking further on the scale of the issue, Sani challenged the assumption that these groups consist of an overwhelming number of fighters. According to him, their total number barely exceeds 5,000. This highlights that while their destructive impact feels immense, the actual number of people involved may be smaller than many believe.

To resolve this crisis, Sani called on northern leaders to take decisive action. He emphasized the need for a homegrown solution driven by accurate intelligence and a unified commitment to addressing the reality on the ground. For him, it is only by acknowledging the truth about those behind these acts and owning up to their responsibility that the region can truly chart a path toward peace and stability.