*Says bandits now under serious pressure
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
Former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, has advised President Bola Tinubu to desist from getting across to Nigerians through third parties or spokespersons.
Rather, he said the President should communicate directly with Nigerians about developments, especially issues affecting the economy and security challenges across the country.
Speaking with reporters after a closed-door meeting with Tinubu, the ranking Senator warned that the country’s worsening insecurity and economic hardship required urgent, coordinated action rather than filtered communication through aides or intermediaries.
His words: “I advised him, and he promised to look into it, to speak directly to Nigerians. Nigerians would expect that your leader will tell you what is going on, instead of other people talking on behalf of Mr President.”
Ndume, who is also a former Senate Chief Whip, said the current offensive against bandits was a sign that authorities were beginning to apply more pressure on criminal networks that have terrorised communities across the country.
While arguing that once the tempo was maintained, the outcome could be decisive, he also maintained that the president appeared committed to confronting the crisis head-on, saying the presence of the service chiefs at the State House underscored the seriousness of the situation.
According to him, the security challenge could be brought under control if the momentum was sustained and backed by stronger coordination.
Ndume revealed that criminal groups operating across the North-West, North-East, and some other parts of Nigeria are now under intense pressure, with some of their arow heads killed and others surrendering to security forces.
According to him, the recent gains suggested that the security crackdown could yield lasting results if sustained.
“There has been a lot of pressure recently on bandits in the North-West, the North-East, and elsewhere. Some of their leaders have been taken out, and some of their commanders surrendered yesterday. If this tempo is kept, we are sure that this thing will come to an end,” he said.
The Borno South Senator said the president’s response to the security situation showed a heightened sense of urgency, noting that his scheduled meeting with Tinubu was delayed because the president was in a security meeting with service chiefs.
“My appointment was for three o’clock. I don’t know what came up, but they had a security meeting. As you can see, the service chiefs came in. So that means the president is sitting up,” he explained.
