Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai (Rtd), has sparked widespread outrage and intense scrutiny across social media following controversial remarks regarding the military’s capacity to track down bandits.
​Speaking at a recent public event, Buratai asserted that the Nigerian military possesses the technology and intelligence to easily locate bandits and terrorists “if they really want to.” He compared the process to how security agencies effortlessly track down ordinary citizens, activists, and social media influencers.
​”If the security agencies want to find these bandits, they can do so easily. They have the technology. We see how quickly they track down influencers and ordinary citizens on social media. The same energy and capability can be deployed to locate these criminals,” Buratai stated.
​The retired General’s comments immediately triggered a wave of backlash online, with many Nigerians expressing anger and bewilderment. Critics are pointing out the irony of his statement, given that Buratai led the Nigerian Army from 2015 to 2021—a period marked by a significant escalation in banditry, mass kidnappings, and insecurity across the country’s northwest region.
​The Defense Headquarters has not yet issued an official response to the former Army Chief’s comments. Meanwhile, the debate continues to trend globally, reigniting fierce discussions over Nigeria’s counter-terrorism strategies and the deployment of state surveillance tools.
