“I’ll Return to Banditry If Released” – Former Defence Spokesperson Shares Repentant Bandits’ Confessions

Former Director of Defence Information, Major General John Enenche (Rtd.), has called for more vigorous action to tackle banditry in Nigeria.

His past dealings with repentant fighters showed that some of them still plan to return to crime even after being released or taken through rehabilitation programmes, the former Defence spokesperson said.

He was reported to have spoken during an interview on Channels Television where he shared his experience of visiting a camp in Gombe State.

“In my engagement with surrendered fighters, some of them confessed that if they are arrested and later released after the reform efforts, they will still go back to join armed groups,” he said.

They have killed people everywhere and then they say they are repenting later, I was a part of it. I went to their camp in Gombe and interviewed them. Some would tell me that even if you take me to prison and bring me out, I am still going back and join them. What’s your job? So we take the bull by the horns.”

The reality, he said, “raises questions of whether we can trust rehabilitation and peace efforts in dealing with violent groups.”

He said some people may really change, but others remain fully involved in criminal activities and continue to be a danger to communities.

He said the continued insecurity in many parts of the country is an indication of the need for a combined approach.

Security agencies should not hesitate to dismantle criminal networks that continue to threaten lives and property, he said, adding that this is necessary to restore safety in affected areas.