Dr. Katch Ononuju, Director-General of the Heritage Centre, has claimed that many of those involved in violent attacks across Nigeria communicate in Bambara and French rather than Hausa or English.
Speaking during an interview on SYMFONI TV, Ononuju said his assertion was based on years of research and observations from visits to several West African countries. He argued that the languages allegedly spoken by some attackers indicate that Nigeria’s security challenges extend beyond its borders.
“The people doing this violence across Nigeria, they don’t speak Hausa, they don’t speak English, they speak Bambara and French,” Ononuju said.
He maintained that the claim underscores the regional nature of the security crisis and called for stronger intelligence gathering and cross-border cooperation with neighbouring countries.
Ononuju also urged security agencies to study the backgrounds and communication patterns of armed groups, arguing that improved intelligence sharing and regional collaboration are essential to tackling transnational criminal networks and addressing persistent insecurity across West Africa.
