Former Attorney General of the Federation, Michael Aondoakaa, has called for stronger collaboration between the Nigerian government and the United States to tackle banditry in Benue and other affected regions, insisting that such cooperation would not undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty.
In an interview with ARISE News on Thursday, Aondoakaa defended his controversial remarks recommending targeted US air support in areas of concentrated bandit activity, saying his appeal was “in good faith” and aimed at preventing further displacement and mayhem.
“Thank you very much, Maricel Abati. My call was in good faith. It did not in any way undermine the sovereignty of this country,” Aondoakaa said. “If you get from what transpired, the Nigerian government said they acted, they gave the intelligence to the Americans. The Americans did not just come here. They said it was a collaboration. That is my understanding of what happened. And I think the Minister of Foreign Affairs was effective that the strike in Sokoto was a collaboration between the Americans and the Nigerian government. Nigeria gave them the intelligence.”
Aondoakaa explained that the bandits, having moved from Sokoto, were now concentrating in the Benue Valley, particularly in Benue State, causing widespread destruction. He cited Okonjo Local Government, where “out of 13 wards, there is an occupation of 10 wards. At the main market in Okonjo, which produces yams for the country, they have settled less than three kilometres away from the market. That is alarming.”
He urged the government to replicate the Sokoto model wherever bandits concentrate: “There should be the same collaboration between the Nigerian government and the US government to flush them out anywhere they are trying to concentrate in the group.
“It extends up to the attack that happened in Oyu. Anywhere there is concentration, there is need for either the Nigerian Air Force to move in, or if they do not have the capacity, the same collaboration that happened with the US government to flush them out, to avoid them causing mayhem.”
Highlighting historical precedents, Aondoakaa said: “When this crisis started, during President Yar’Adua’s time, I was an active participant. What the government adopted was no mistreatment. There was zero tolerance of bandits. Anywhere we heard there was a concentration, our military used to go there to flush them out. This is a situation that politics should be completely set aside.”
He warned of the broader humanitarian implications of inaction, noting that “80 percent in Benue State are farmers, and the farmers are being displaced. There is a potential danger of hunger that is moving more severe than the mayhem being caused by the bandits.”
Aondoakaa expressed faith in the current government’s security architecture but emphasised the need for practical action: “It goes beyond having faith in government. This action entails that the government of Nigeria must collaborate with sister countries, neighbouring countries, and collaborate with the US to pay stock to this mayhem. Because there is no purpose for these bandits. They are not safe.”
Responding to suggestions that his recommendation implied a political agenda, he said: “I do not intend to bring my personal vision in. The issue of security transcends beyond the issue of personal ambition. Those who are saying there is genocide in Nigeria—there is no way you say they do not love Nigeria. There are people who are alerting the country of the danger that if this is not addressed, it will cause a bigger problem. This has nothing to do with politics.”
Reflecting on past security measures, he noted that previous administrations successfully curtailed bandit activities: “During the governments of Akuma, Odom, and Soswan, it was effectively checked. There was no question of the bandits occupying portions of lands, displacing farmers, or preventing them from going to their ancestral homes. Suddenly, we try to play politics. This is far beyond politics.”
On local resistance and community protection, Aondoakaa said: “Benue State government and the Benue people have to get themselves prepared. They cannot be running away from their ancestral homes, but should be reinforced to create an effective resistance. If the areas are being occupied and bandits are relocating, creating a concentration that will become more effective for them, it is easier for internal security to sweep them out before they consolidate.”
He also addressed questions about arming local populations and forming militias: “The federal government is contemplating forest rangers to confront these people in the forests where they continue to operate. Every state government has set up security apparatus. Local vigilante groups can coordinate, making it difficult for larger armed groups to operate. I do not differentiate between the life of any person living within Nigeria, whether Muslim or Christian. Every life matters.”
Aondoakaa concluded by emphasizing cooperation and intelligence gathering over political narratives: “If lobbying is effective to allow our armies and air force to contain this menace, that is good. But if it is to allow the party to continue to ravage the country, no political government would support that. The focus should be practical action, intelligence gathering, and collaboration.”
The former Attorney General also clarified the context of a US-based contract: “The Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 has been registered and published in the United States.
“The contract signed states that the DCI group shall assist the Nigerian government in communicating its actions, protecting Nigerian Christian communities, and maintaining US support in countering West African jihadist groups and other destabilising elements.”
Boluwatife Enome
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