Former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, has shared a disturbing account of his interaction with a bandit through the social media platform TikTok, revealing insights into the escalating security situation in Nigeria.
Chilling TikTok Encounter
In an exclusive interview with News Central, Dalung detailed how he encountered a self-confessed bandit during one of his sessions on the popular video-sharing application. The former minister described the young man as someone who had received training in the bush and openly identified himself as an active bandit.
Dalung recalled posing a critical question to the bandit: "Why do you kill people?" The response he received provided a troubling glimpse into the cycle of violence plaguing the nation.
Bandit's Justification for Violence
The bandit explained that their violent actions stemmed from previous attacks against their communities. According to his account, vigilante groups had killed members of their group and confiscated their cattle, which prompted them to take up arms and retreat into the bush.
When Dalung challenged the bandit about targeting fellow Fulani people and stealing their livestock, the response was even more alarming. "The only Fulanis they know are the ones in the bush. Anyone that is in the town is not a Fulani," the bandit declared, adding that they would kill any Fulani they encountered in urban areas.
Call for Constitutional Amendment
Dalung revealed that he asked the bandit how the trend of attacks and maiming could be stopped. The bandit responded that they were open to negotiations and would consider laying down their weapons through proper dialogue channels.
The former minister described the bandit's confidence during their exchange as "quite scary," indicating the boldness with which these criminal elements now operate. This experience prompted Dalung to call on the National Assembly to amend the constitution to allow Nigerians to bear arms for self-protection.
The revelation comes amid growing concerns about security challenges across Nigeria, with bandit activities becoming increasingly brazen and sophisticated in their operations.
