Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has challenged Nigeria’s security agencies to make greater use of technology in the fight against banditry and terrorism.
Speaking on the country’s worsening security situation, Buratai argued that if authorities can successfully trace and monitor ordinary citizens through telecommunications and digital systems, they should also be able to locate criminals hiding in forests and remote communities.
Buratai on Tracking Bandits
According to Buratai, modern technology has made it easier to identify and monitor individuals. Therefore, the same intelligence tools should be deployed more aggressively against bandits, kidnappers, and terrorist groups operating across the country.
He questioned why security agencies often locate citizens with ease but struggle to identify the whereabouts of criminals responsible for attacks, kidnappings, and killings.
The retired army chief stressed that intelligence gathering remains one of the most effective weapons in tackling insecurity.
Technology Must Support Security Operations
Buratai noted that military operations alone cannot completely eliminate security threats. Instead, he called for stronger intelligence networks and the effective use of digital surveillance tools.
He explained that security agencies must combine field operations with technology-driven intelligence to improve their ability to track criminal movements and prevent attacks before they occur.
Furthermore, he urged authorities to invest more in modern surveillance systems capable of detecting and monitoring criminal activities in real time.
Citizens Also Have a Role to Play
While emphasizing the importance of technology, Buratai said public cooperation remains critical in the fight against insecurity.
He encouraged Nigerians to provide useful information to security agencies whenever they notice suspicious activities within their communities.
According to him, timely intelligence from citizens can help security forces respond faster and disrupt criminal operations before they escalate.
Conclusion
Buratai’s comments come as concerns over banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism continue to grow across several parts of Nigeria.
The former army chief believes that combining advanced technology, effective intelligence gathering, and public cooperation could significantly improve efforts to track bandits and strengthen national security.
