Former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Gen Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (retd), has urged Nigeria’s military leadership, headed by the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), Gen Christopher Musa, to take swift action to end the ongoing banditry and killings across the country. Gen Danjuma made this charge on Tuesday in Abuja during the launch of the book Big Boots: Lessons From My Military Service, authored by Maj Gen Solomon Udounwa (retd).

Addressing both serving and retired military personnel, including the current defense chief, Gen Danjuma stressed the need for immediate action, stating, “We must end the banditry and the killings that are going on in our country as soon as possible. The responsibilities are on your shoulders; those of you who are still serving. No excuses, absolutely no excuses.”

In response, CDS Gen Christopher Musa reassured that the Armed Forces remain steadfast in combating banditry and terrorism. He vowed, “The Armed Forces of Nigeria is willing, dedicated, and committed to ensuring that we restore peace and security in our own dear country. We shall not be deterred. We cannot afford to fail, and we will not fail.”

This call to action comes as Nigeria continues to grapple with violent attacks, particularly in the North-West and North Central regions. A recent report by security intelligence firm SBM Intelligence revealed that Nigerians paid ₦1.04 billion in ransom to kidnappers in the last year, with 7,568 individuals abducted in 1,130 incidents nationwide. The report highlighted that Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina were among the most affected states.

Gen Danjuma’s urgent call for decisive military intervention underscores the pressing need to address the worsening insecurity and restore peace in the country.