A strategic policy adviser and Group Chief Executive Officer of Global Investment and Trade Company, Baba Yusuf, has raised concerns over what he described as the absence of consequences for individuals linked to terrorism and banditry in Nigeria.
Yusuf spoke during an interview on TVC News on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, where he addressed questions regarding the prosecution of terrorism financiers and armed group leaders. During the interview, the host asked why individuals identified as financiers or participants in terrorist activities had not been effectively prosecuted despite the release of lists by foreign governments.
The interviewer said: “I appreciate the fact that you mentioned that this is not strange, the financiers and also those that are involved in acts of terrorism. But why has it been so difficult to, you know, arrest them and persecute them? Because, you know, a list was released by the U.S. government that these are the financiers, these are some of the people involved in terrorism. But yes, we have seen little or no action being taken.”
The question further referenced instances where suspects were reportedly apprehended but no follow-up information emerged regarding their prosecution. “Sometimes these terrorists are being arrested, and at the end of the day, we don’t hear anything about that. Why is it that, you know, the justice system is still yet to, you know, persecute people like this? And is that why, you know, we still keep having this issue of terrorism and insecurity in the country?” the interviewer asked.
Responding to the question, Yusuf said the absence of consequences contributes to the persistence of terrorism and insecurity. “Of course, that is why,” he said.
He added that information about terrorism financiers had previously been released by foreign governments, including the United Arab Emirates. “And before the United States of America released that list, the United Arab Emirates released a list of terrorism financiers over a year ago,” Yusuf stated.
He also noted that several bandit leaders were already known to the public before such lists were issued. “Before then, we already knew people like Bello Turji and others,” he said, referring to the widely known bandit leader Bello Turji.
Yusuf further described an incident involving a bandit who reportedly appeared at a mediation meeting wearing the uniform of a police officer. “Just a couple of months ago, a critical bandit in Kasana was going for mediation conversation with government officials, kitted in the uniform of a gallant police officer, I think assistant commissioner of police, chief superintendent of police, that he killed, wore his uniform, came to the mediation and went home. And went back to his enclave without any consequences,” he said.
According to him, such situations demonstrate the lack of accountability in dealing with armed groups. “If there are no consequences, this will continue to escalate,” Yusuf stated.
He also referenced images circulating online that he said reflected the severity of the security situation. “And we can see what has been happening, trending in the social media and in the media, children kitted in army fatigue uniform somewhere in Dambuwa in Borno State a couple of days ago, children of under 15 years of age, and they are kitted in uniform of presumably soldiers that were killed in the battlefield,” he said.
Yusuf continued by describing other images he said had appeared online. “No consequences. We also saw pictures of children between the age of nine and 12, somewhere in the northwest, with AK-47 fully kitted and loaded with bullets,” he added…..See More
Leave a Reply