How FG can degrade banditry and kidnapping within six months – Gen Williams

The 44th edition of the popular interview discourse, Boiling Point Arena on Sunday night turned into a blistering national conversation on insecurity, as three leading voices in security and public accountability delivered hard-hitting assessments of Nigeria’s worsening kidnapping and banditry crisis, insisting that the country possesses the capacity to defeat the menace if only the political will exists.

The explosive discourse, themed “Kidnapping Economy and National Insecurity: Are Nigeria’s Security Votes Working? What Must Change to Make Nigerians Safe Again?”, featured renowned security strategist, Gen. Ishola Williams(rtd), military intelligence expert, Col Yomi Dare(rtd), and civic technology advocate and Co-founder of BudgIT, Mr Seun Onigbinde.

The consensus among the three discussants was unmistakable: Nigeria’s insecurity challenge is no longer primarily about lack of resources, but about leadership failures, poor accountability, obscene corruption, weak intelligence coordination and the absence of decisive action.

*”Terrorism Can Be Crushed Within Six Months” — Gen Williams*

Perhaps the most provocative intervention of the night came from Gen. Williams, who argued forcefully that terrorism, banditry and large-scale kidnapping could be substantially degraded within six months if government empowers the military leadership and adopts a more aggressive operational posture which brooks no excuses from the military chiefs or otherwise they are fired.

In a direct challenge to the Federal Government, the retired General posed a question that resonated strongly with participants and listeners:

“Why is President Tinubu afraid of his military chiefs?”

According to Williams, Nigeria’s security institutions possess sufficient manpower, experience and intelligence capabilities to confront criminal elements effectively. What is lacking, he argued, is the political courage required to put the feet of military commanders to the fire.

He lamented that criminal groups have become emboldened over the years because government responses often appear reactive rather than proactive.

He insisted that the nation must move beyond endless rhetoric and launch a coordinated national offensive capable of dismantling criminal networks operating across forests, highways and rural communities.

Williams maintained that insecurity has persisted for too long because successive administrations have failed to treat the crisis with the urgency and strategic coherence required in a wartime situation.

*Col. Dare Demands Greater Military Decisiveness*

Picking up from Williams’ position, Col. Yomi Dare stressed the urgent need for stronger operational resolve by security agencies.

The retired military intelligence officer argued that while Nigeria’s armed forces have recorded notable successes in several theatres of operation, the country requires a much more decisive and intelligence-driven approach to confront the evolving tactics of terrorists, bandits and kidnappers.

According to him, criminal elements have increasingly transformed their activities into a sophisticated business enterprise, exploiting weak coordination among security agencies and gaps in intelligence gathering.

Dare called for better synergy among the military, police, intelligence agencies and local communities, stressing that victory against insecurity cannot be achieved  through isolated efforts.

He emphasized that modern security challenges demand speed, precision and sustained pressure on criminal networks, warning that anything short of this would merely allow the perpetrators to regroup and continue their operations.

The retired Colonel also underscored the importance of strengthening community-based
intelligence, arguing that local residents often possess critical information capable of preventing attacks before they occur.

*Security Votes Are “Corruption Legalised” — Onigbinde*

Earlier in the programme, Seun Onigbinde delivered a scathing critique of Nigeria’s security financing architecture, particularly the controversial security votes system operated by governments at various levels.

The BudgIT co-founder described security votes as “corruption legalised,” arguing that billions of naira are expended annually with little transparency, accountability or measurable impact on citizens’ safety.

According to him, the nation’s anti-terrorism and anti-banditry campaign has increasingly resembled “pouring water into a basket” because huge sums continue to be committed to security without corresponding outcomes.

Onigbinde contended that Nigerians deserve to know how public funds allocated for security are spent and what results are being achieved.

He questioned a system where security expenditures remain largely opaque while kidnappings, abductions and violent attacks continue to spread across the country.

The transparency advocate maintained that unless security spending becomes subject to stricter accountability mechanisms, the nation risks perpetuating a cycle where resources are endlessly deployed without addressing the root causes of insecurity.

He further argued that accountability should not be viewed as an obstacle to security operations but rather as a necessary tool for ensuring effectiveness and public trust.

*A Convergence of Views*

Although they approached the issue from different perspectives, the three discussants ultimately converged on one fundamental point: Nigeria’s insecurity crisis is neither inevitable nor insurmountable.

While Gen. Williams focused on political will and military empowerment, Col. Dare emphasized operational decisiveness and intelligence effectiveness.

Onigbinde, on the other hand, spotlighted the governance and accountability deficits surrounding security expenditures.

Together, their submissions painted a picture of a nation that possesses the resources and institutional framework needed to defeat insecurity but continues to struggle because of weak implementation, insufficient transparency and a lack of coordinated strategy.

*Call for Urgent National Action*

Participants in the discourse agreed that kidnapping has evolved into a thriving criminal economy that  threatens national stability, economic growth and public confidence.

As the two-hour session drew to a close, a recurring message echoed across the submissions of the speakers: Nigeria must move beyond routine condemnations and adopt bold, measurable and accountable actions capable of restoring security and public trust.

For many listeners, the 44th edition of Boiling Point Arena was not merely another discussion on insecurity. It was a stark reminder that while billions continue to be spent in the name of security, Nigerians are increasingly demanding one simple outcome — safety.

The monthly public affairs platform, Boiling Point Arena, hosted by media professional and public intellectual, Dr. Ayo Arowojolu, has become one of Nigeria’s most influential forums for interrogating critical national issues and proposing practical solutions.

The programme, transmitted via Zoom and broadcast live by multiple radio stations in Lagos, Ogun and Delta States, was chaired by the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Prof Saka Matemilola.