By Erewunmi Peace

A former United States Army officer has alleged that foreign interests may be supporting bandit groups operating in parts of Nigeria, raising fresh concerns about the complexity of the country’s security challenges.

The retired officer, Captain Bish Johnson, made the claim during a recent television interview, where he suggested that Nigeria’s banditry crisis may be linked to international economic interests rather than being driven solely by local criminal networks.

According to Johnson, some armed groups terrorising communities in northern Nigeria could be benefiting from foreign backing connected to illegal mining and resource exploitation. He argued that the scale and sophistication of bandit operations suggest the involvement of powerful sponsors beyond Nigeria’s borders.

“This is not just about local criminals with guns,” Johnson said. “There are economic interests at play, and some of those interests may be foreign.”

Claims Remain Unverified

However, the allegations have not been independently verified, and Nigerian security agencies have not officially confirmed the involvement of foreign governments or organisations in backing bandits.

Security analysts caution that while Nigeria’s insecurity is complex and sometimes linked to transnational crime — including arms trafficking and illegal mining — claims of direct foreign sponsorship require substantial evidence.

A senior security expert, who spoke on condition of anonymity, noted that criminal groups across the Sahel often exploit weak borders and regional instability, but warned against drawing conclusions without intelligence-backed proof.

Background to Nigeria’s Banditry Crisis

Nigeria has battled widespread banditry, kidnapping, and armed attacks for over a decade, particularly in the North-West and North-Central regions. Thousands have been killed, displaced, or abducted, while farming and mining communities have suffered severe economic losses.

Previous government reports have identified factors such as poverty, illegal mining, arms proliferation, and weak local governance as key drivers of the violence.

While Nigerian officials have occasionally acknowledged the presence of foreign mercenaries and cross-border criminal networks in broader security challenges, no official statement has directly supported Johnson’s claim of foreign powers backing bandits.

Calls for Stronger Investigation

The former officer’s comments have renewed calls for deeper investigations into the financing of armed groups and stronger international cooperation to combat transnational crime.

Observers say that addressing banditry will require not only military action but also improved border control, intelligence sharing, and regulation of Nigeria’s mining sector.

As of the time of this report, the Federal Government has not issued a formal response to the allegation.