Banditry in Bauchi: A Growing Concern for Tourism and Investment by Saleh Bature
In today’s Nigeria, no issue dominates public discourse more than the rising tide of insecurity. Newspapers, television broadcasts, and social media platforms are inundated with grim headlines: Gunmen Kill 3, Abduct 4 in Benue Attacks; Bandits Kill Vigilantes, Demand Ransom After Murdering Hostage’s Wife; Rising Violence in the Middle Belt; President Tinubu Meets Security Chiefs to Address Insecurity; and National Assembly Postpones Resumption Over Security Concerns. The country is in the grip of fear, and the reality is deeply unsettling.
While many northern states have long grappled with insecurity, the recent escalation of violence in Bauchi State—a region once considered relatively peaceful—has raised alarm. The tragic incident reported in Daily Trust on May 6, 2025, involving a deadly clash between bandits and local vigilantes in Alkaleri Local Government Area, is particularly distressing. Twenty-five lives were lost, including nine vigilante members, five bandits, and eleven residents abducted from Sabuwar Sara village. Such bloodshed is both heartbreaking and unacceptable.
Life is sacred. We must stand united in confronting these atrocities, wherever they occur in Nigeria. The report also identified key flashpoints in the state: the Burra-Lame forest in Ningi LGA, mountainous areas in Toro, and the Yankari forest in Alkaleri—now serving as safe havens for violent criminal elements.
What is truly concerning is not just the recurrence of attacks, but the increasing audacity and proximity of these incidents to critical state assets. The attack in Alkaleri is not only a blow to human security but also an assault on the economic foundation of Bauchi State and the broader North-East.
Take, for example, the iconic Yankari Game Reserve—Nigeria’s most prominent wildlife park and a major tourism draw. Tourism contributes significantly to the state’s internal revenue and creates jobs across various sectors. However, incidents of violence near the reserve foster a climate of fear, deterring visitors and undermining economic potential. It was for this reason that I declined my wife’s request for a visit to Yankari. Tour operators, hotel managers, and local artisans who depend on tourism are now at risk of financial ruin.
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Equally troubling is the potential impact on the Kolmani Integrated Development Project, a multi-billion-naira oil and gas venture expected to transform Bauchi’s economic landscape. As the first oil exploration project in northern Nigeria, Kolmani carries symbolic and strategic significance. Any security threat in its vicinity jeopardizes not only the safety of its workforce and infrastructure but also the confidence of investors and partners. Escalating insecurity could drive up operational costs, delay timelines, or even stall progress altogether—a devastating blow to the region’s industrial aspirations.
The threat extends further to the $1.5 billion Resident Cement Factory in Gwana village. Although the facility has not been directly affected, its location within a zone of increasing bandit activity makes it susceptible to disruption. Cement production depends on secure transport routes, stable logistics, and a reliable workforce. Persistent insecurity could derail the factory’s completion and operational schedule, disappointing the many locals who look to it for employment and economic upliftment.
These violent episodes expose a deeper dilemma: the disconnect between Bauchi’s developmental ambitions and its security realities. While the state government has marketed Bauchi as an investor-friendly destination, such narratives are undermined by persistent attacks and instability.
Moreover, the reliance on local vigilante groups to tackle well-armed and coordinated criminal gangs reflects a glaring deficiency in security architecture. These community defenders, though brave and committed, often lack the training and resources needed to effectively confront such threats. This places both their lives and those they protect at constant risk.
The Alkaleri massacre should serve as a wake-up call for government authorities, policymakers, investors, and community stakeholders. The state’s peace, prosperity, and promise hang in the balance. Urgent action is needed—not just condemnation and condolence.
Bauchi requires a robust, multi-layered security strategy. This must include intelligence-led operations, community engagement, proactive surveillance, and rapid response units dedicated to safeguarding sensitive economic zones like Yankari, Kolmani, and Gwana. Security forces must also be adequately equipped and professionally coordinated, with stronger synergy between federal and state agencies.
We cannot allow the gains of development to be eroded by the forces of violence and disorder. Bauchi—and indeed the North-East—deserves security, stability, and sustained progress.
