By Atoyebi Nike
Senator Olamilekan Adeola, representing Ogun West, has attributed Nigeria’s escalating kidnappings and banditry to an international conspiracy, claiming foreign actors are destabilizing communities.
Speaking during a Senate plenary, Adeola said groups like Boko Haram and others are not indigenous and rely on organized supply networks, citing videos showing helicopters dropping arms into pickup vans. “Nigeria is at war, and international conspiracy is involved,” he warned.
The senator raised concern over attackers publicly announcing strikes on social media, including a recent threat on a school in Kebbi State. He called on the Senate to fast-track a national security summit to provide actionable recommendations to the executive.
Adeola commended President Bola Tinubu and security forces for successful operations that freed 38 kidnapped residents in Eruku, Kwara, and students in Kebbi. He emphasized that securing Nigeria demands immediate and collective action.
Earlier, Senator Adams Oshiomhole highlighted illegal gold mining networks backed by foreign actors and influential Nigerians, warning that armed miners often supply weapons to fuel banditry, kidnappings, and other violent crimes.
In response to rising insecurity, the Federal Government has approved mass recruitment for police and military, raising new police personnel to 50,000. The DSS is deploying forest guards and boosting intelligence operations, while NYSC camps are being used for rapid police training.
President Tinubu has also urged states to consider establishing local police forces and called on herders to abandon open grazing, surrender illegal weapons, and adopt ranching.
