As Nigeria continues its battle against banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism, a new proposal is gaining attention: paying for information that leads to the arrest of criminals. Defence and counter-insurgency expert Yinka Ogunsanya believes the country can significantly weaken criminal networks by introducing a structured national bounty program that rewards citizens for providing actionable intelligence. According to him, military operations alone cannot completely defeat insurgencies because criminal groups survive through extensive support networks hidden within communities.
Ogunsanya argues that terrorists and bandits depend heavily on suppliers, financiers, transporters, informants, and sympathisers to sustain their operations. From food and fuel to medicine and ammunition, these groups rely on people outside their camps to survive. He maintains that targeting these support systems through financial incentives could encourage insiders and community members to share critical information with security agencies, ultimately disrupting criminal activities from within.
Drawing lessons from global counterinsurgency campaigns, the security expert pointed to operations in Iraq and Afghanistan where intelligence provided by local residents played a crucial role in tracking and capturing high-profile insurgents. He noted that reward programs have historically helped expose terrorist financiers, bomb makers, and logistics coordinators, often producing intelligence that saved countless lives. For Nigeria, he believes a similar approach could provide security forces with valuable leads that are difficult to obtain through conventional operations alone.
The proposed program would offer financial rewards ranging from ₦1 million for intelligence leading to the arrest of lower-level operatives, with significantly larger sums reserved for information that results in the capture of high-value targets. Ogunsanya stressed that such a system must include anonymous reporting channels, witness protection measures, prompt payment of verified rewards, legal safeguards against abuse, and a regularly updated list of wanted criminals. He emphasized that the initiative should not encourage vigilantism but rather support lawful security operations.
While acknowledging that rewards alone will not end Nigeria’s security crisis, Ogunsanya said they could become a powerful tool within a broader strategy that includes stronger border security, improved surveillance technology, financial intelligence operations, and greater accountability within security institutions. He argued that every terrorist network survives because someone provides information, resources, or protection, and that creating stronger incentives for citizens to cooperate with authorities could help accelerate the country’s journey toward lasting peace and security. As insecurity remains a major national concern, the proposal highlights a growing call for intelligence-driven solutions alongside military force.