Dele Farotimi Bemoans Insecurity in Nigeria Express Shock at Audacity of Bandits Kingpin Dictating to Government 

By: Olufemi Orunsola 

Popular human rights activist, Dele Farotimi has expressed utmost shock about the magnitude of power bandit kingpins allegedly wield over the Nigerian state.

Farotimi, who made this disclosure during a broadcast on his YouTube channel, alleged that the audacity demonstrated by bandits in Nigeria is heart-wrenching.

Farotimi recounted the scary account of a prominent bandit leader known as Jankare, who was implicated in the murder of a senior police official, ACP Aminu Dahir.

According to Farotimi, the officer was reportedly compromised by internal security contacts, which facilitated the deadly assault. 

Following the killing, the attackers mutilated the body and seized the police uniform worn by the deceased.

The most shocking part of the story, as shared by Farotimi, was that Jankare later appeared wearing this very uniform—still bearing the slain officer's name—while attending government-sponsored meetings intended to foster peace with the armed groups.

He further elaborated that these militants dictated the terms during the negotiations. A key condition they imposed was the complete prohibition of police officers near the meeting location. If an officer was required for administrative purposes, they were strictly forbidden from wearing their official uniform. The fact that individuals labeled as bandits were in a position to issue such demands demonstrated the extent of the authority they felt they commanded over the Nigerian state.

Farotimi presented this narrative as evidence of the profound crisis and serious breakdown in security governance currently facing the nation. He summarized the situation by stating, "The militants had told the Government, no policemen must be seen and if they must attend, they must not come in their uniform. Bandits, quotes and unquote, issuing conditions for peace to the Nigerian state."