Bish Johnson, a former United States Army Captain, has raised concerns over the escalating insecurity in Nigeria, alleging that criminal activities such as banditry and kidnapping have evolved into organized, profit-driven operations.
Speaking on Channels Television’s programme The Morning Brief, Johnson highlighted the growing pattern of violence that has affected many Nigerians, including women and schoolchildren, emphasizing that these acts are no longer isolated incidents but part of a systematic network with financial incentives.
“Banditry and kidnapping have transformed into commercialized ventures where individuals are making substantial fortunes from the misfortune of others,” Johnson said. He further noted that the scale and coordination of these crimes indicate the existence of deeper structures behind the violence, suggesting a level of organization beyond ordinary criminal gangs.
Johnson also alleged that some government officials may be complicit in perpetuating the country’s security challenges. “In Nigeria, there appears to be some degree of complicity from within government structures. I have consistently maintained that many of these security issues are part of syndicated operations, involving multiple actors collaborating for financial gain,” he stated.
In addition to internal complicity, Johnson linked Nigeria’s insecurity to unregulated illegal activities and weak border management. He pointed out that some criminal networks exploit poorly controlled borders, particularly in regions connecting Nigeria with Niger Republic, Chad, and Northern Cameroon. These border corridors, according to Johnson, facilitate the movement of criminal elements and, in some cases, foreign sponsors who support these operations financially or logistically.
He also emphasized that illicit exploitation of Nigeria’s natural resources, such as unregulated mining, contributes to the funding of these criminal networks. “Certain criminal enterprises are fueled by illegal extraction of mineral resources, while others thrive due to the ease of crossing porous borders. This combination allows for a highly profitable, organized criminal ecosystem,” Johnson explained.
Johnson’s comments come at a time when Nigeria continues to grapple with a surge in kidnappings, armed banditry, and other violent crimes, leaving citizens increasingly vulnerable and raising questions about the effectiveness of the country’s security strategies.
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