Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, has alleged that the Nigerian government cannot arrest Boko Haram terrorists, bandits, and other criminals because they were created for electoral purposes.

Speaking on Monday when he appeared on Voice of The People FM, which was monitored by Newsmen, Sowore alleged that government officials have links with the criminals, using them to gain power and later protecting them.

The convener of #RevolutionNow movement explained that this is why it is hard for the country to make any meaningful progress in the fight against terrorism and banditry.

Sowore said: “The people who are in government are bandits themselves. They know where these bandits are.

“You have to look at the history of banditry, kidnapping and militancy. If you recollect well, I think in the 2000s, most of the deadliest Niger Delta militants were the creation of Peter Odili and Co. They used them for election. They even came out and said after the election, they left us without remuneration and we have to take up arms against the state.”

He continued, “That is how Asari Dokubo started. The former Governor of Borno, Ali Modu Sheriff, he allocated a commissionership position to a Boko Haram commander who was later killed by the Nigerian police.

“I am giving you all these backgrounds so that you can understand that these guys are friends of those in power. They are the ones who helped them get into power. When they get into power, they protect them. It’s the same thing with all kidnappers.

“Even in Zamfara, a former governor who is now the Minister of State for Defence has been exposed as a person who was providing logistics to the bandits. The bandits have spoken about it openly too.

“So how do you expect these people to grab these militants, these bandits, these kidnappers when they themselves are facilitators of terrorism?”