Former Labour Party vice-presidential aspirant Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed has drawn criticism after describing armed bandits as “gentlemen in the forest” during a live interview on Arise News on November 28, 2025.
Baba-Ahmed made the remark while discussing President Bola Tinubu’s nationwide security emergency and the government’s approach to curbing kidnappings and rural attacks. He argued that the term “jihadists” is misleading, saying the bandits’ violent acts—kidnappings, extortion, and assaults on schools—stem from governance failures rather than ideological motives.
The comment has sparked heated debate online. Critics say referring to violent criminals as “gentlemen” downplays the severity of their crimes, while supporters argue Baba-Ahmed aimed to highlight analytical and political mischaracterizations of Nigeria’s security challenges.
