IMPI: Tinubu’s Anti-terror War Not Failing Despite Kidnapping Challenges
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IMPI: Tinubu’s Anti-terror War Not Failing Despite Kidnapping Challenges
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The Independent Media and Policy Initiative, IMPI, has said that despite the recent wave of kidnappings across parts of the country, the administration of President Bola Tinubu has recorded significant successes in the fight against terrorism and banditry.
The policy think tank stated that over 8,000 terrorists and bandits had been neutralised by security operatives since 2023, while more than 11,600 criminal suspects had been arrested through coordinated military and police operations nationwide.
In a policy statement signed by its Chairman, Dr Omoniyi Akinsiju, the group argued that the Federal Government’s counter-terrorism efforts had achieved notable tactical victories, citing recent rescue operations conducted by security forces in several states.
According to IMPI, troops of Operation HADIN KAI on June 6, 2026, rescued 360 kidnapped victims from a terrorist enclave in the Mandara Mountains of Borno State.
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It added that military operations in Kogi, Kwara, Kaduna, Kebbi, Niger and other states had also resulted in the rescue of dozens of abducted persons in recent months.
“From our study of the federal administration’s counter-terrorism efforts, it is indisputable that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration has recorded notable tactical successes in the fight against banditry,” the statement read.
The group noted that security agencies had increasingly relied on intelligence-driven operations, aggressive pursuit missions and precision air strikes to secure the release of captives and dismantle criminal hideouts.
It explained that troops often launch coordinated offensives into forests, mountainous regions and other difficult terrains, forcing terrorists and bandits to abandon victims and flee.
IMPI further disclosed that security operatives had successfully deployed covert intelligence strategies in ransom-related abduction cases, citing the rescue of a retired military officer in Plateau State without the payment of the N200m ransom reportedly demanded by kidnappers.
The think tank also attributed the recent successes to the Tinubu administration’s investments in military hardware and personnel development.
It listed some of the acquisitions to include 24 M-346FA fighter jets, four T-129 ATAK helicopters, five Agusta 109S Trekker helicopters, 12 MD 530F Cayuse attack helicopters, Diamond DA62 surveillance aircraft and King Air 360i multi-purpose aircraft.
According to the group, the government has expanded military training infrastructure through the establishment of additional army training depots and strengthened international partnerships aimed at improving the operational capacity of the armed forces.
It added that about 200 military personnel had been sent to Türkiye for advanced special forces and tactical training, while new defence cooperation arrangements had been secured with countries such as France.
The organisation also outlined the launch of an elite Special Operations Force programme focused on counterterrorism, intelligence gathering, cyber warfare and other high-risk operations.
However, IMPI maintained that more efforts were needed to strengthen the nation’s security architecture, particularly in the deployment of advanced technology and the addressing of socio-economic challenges that fuel criminal activities in vulnerable communities.
The group urged the Federal Government to sustain investments in security operations while tackling poverty and underdevelopment in remote areas to achieve lasting peace and stability across the country.
