“Not Freedom Fighters”: Solomon Dalung Labels Armed Bandits as Terrorists, Urges Truth in Nigeria’s Security Debate
Former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, has weighed in strongly on Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, stating that armed bandits terrorising communities are not freedom fighters but terrorists. His remarks come amid growing public debate and confusion over how violent attacks across parts of Nigeria should be described and addressed.
Dalung made it clear that the systematic killings, kidnappings, and destruction of villages witnessed in states such as Plateau, Zamfara, Kaduna, and Niger cannot be justified under any political, ethnic, or ideological excuse. According to him, groups that attack civilians, displace communities, and spread fear are engaging in terrorism, not a struggle for freedom.
Why Dalung’s Statement Matters
In recent years, some narratives on social media have attempted to frame banditry as a form of resistance or “freedom fighting.” Dalung rejected this narrative outright, arguing that true freedom struggles target oppressive systems, not innocent civilians.
He emphasized that labeling criminals as freedom fighters only downplays the suffering of victims and weakens national resolve to confront insecurity decisively. His comments align with earlier rulings and statements by Nigerian authorities and courts that have described bandit activities as acts of terrorism due to their scale, organisation, and brutality.
Not an Attack on an Ethnic Group
Importantly, Dalung’s position does not label any ethnic group as terrorists. He and other national leaders have repeatedly stressed that criminals should not be confused with entire communities, including peaceful Fulani pastoralists who have also been victims of violence.
Security experts and traditional leaders, including the Sultan of Sokoto, have echoed this view, warning against ethnic profiling while calling for firm action against armed criminal networks.
The Broader Security Context
Nigeria continues to battle multiple security challenges — from Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgency in the Northeast to banditry and kidnapping in the Northwest and North Central. While the government has intensified military operations, public figures like Dalung argue that clarity of language matters, because how violence is defined shapes policy responses and public understanding.
Solomon Dalung’s message is direct: armed bandits who kill, kidnap, and terrorise Nigerians are terrorists — not freedom fighters. As the country searches for lasting solutions to insecurity, many analysts agree that confronting the problem honestly, without romanticising violence or spreading misleading narratives, is a crucial step toward peace and justice.
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