Bandits to Terrorists

In recent years, residents in Nigeria’s northwest and now northcentral zones have experienced rising levels of banditry. Several communities have been raided and torched. Hundreds of people, especially school students kidnapped. Rural areas in the affected regions have become bandits’ paradise despite reports of security measures. Indeed, security measures have not entirely prevented the continuance and transition of terror in these zones. Data from the Nextier SPD Violent Conflict Database shows that in the twelve months to September 2021, banditry accounted for 606 incidents (68.1 per cent) of the 890 violent incidents in the country.

Bandits have transitioned, so has their classification. The world has watched in horror as bandits moved from attacking communities to raiding and kidnapping dozens of students to brazen attacks on security formations. In July 2021, bandits from Zamfara were reportedly travelling to Borno state for ‘terrorist training’. A month later, Nigerian Defense Academy (NDA), Kaduna state, was attacked by suspected bandits. Bandits’ mode of operation has consistently evolved, and more brazen attacks have been recorded in recent months. The transition of terror has triggered calls for bandits to be classified as terrorists. The commonest reason for such calls is that it will help the Nigerian state be more decisive in tackling bandits’ menace, especially in deploying counterterrorism strategies and resources.

Bandits’ classification as terrorists now has received legal backing. A Federal High Court in Abuja on November 26, 2021, has outlawed the activities of some groups linked to banditry and declared their activities as acts of terrorism. The ruling is a bold move towards addressing the spate of banditry in the northwest and northcentral zones. In Mutuality Between Bandits and Jihadists, Nextier SPD argues that declaring bandits as terrorists will enable global anti-terror organisations to monitor their activities. It will also help to reduce the flow of funds and curtail their movements across international borders. It is also a big win for securitisation efforts. According to a report, the Nigerian military cannot deploy its Super Tucano planes from the United States (U.S.) to crush the bandits and gunmen because of the agreement between the Nigerian and U.S. governments. The pact between the two countries only allows the Super Tucano planes to be deployed against terrorists and not on bandits. The court’s classification of bandits as terrorists may be the beginning of counterterrorism missions against gunmen violence in the hotspots.

Classification of bandits as terrorists is more complicated in the war against terror. According to the ruling, at least two groups associated with banditry were specifically mentioned. The bandits’ hotspots will certainly have various groups of gunmen terrorising the areas. It may be difficult for counterterrorism efforts to disaggregate the various bandits’ groups that may exist and apply appropriate responses in line with the court ruling. Also, numerous self-defence militias have risen against banditry and are performing oversight policing functions. Some of these informal security groups may be outside the formal security agencies’ coverage. Against this backdrop, the Nigerian government must take necessary steps to prevent the complications and continued bloodletting in the bandits’ hotspots.

There is a need for a holistic declaration of bandits as terrorists. This will help security agents in handling the array of gunmen and self-defence militias in the region. As mentioned above, it will also aid the international community’s response in helping Nigeria manage the challenges posed by banditry in the northwest and northcentral zones. Treating banditry as acts of terrorism will open up counterterrorism approaches and resources in managing the cascading violence.