By Femi Mustapha, in Kaduna
Nigeria is faced with an extremist insurgency in the northeast, a nationwide rise in banditry, kidnappings for ransom and crime, deadly farmer-herder clashes in the central belt and the northwest, oil theft in the Niger Delta region, piracy along the Gulf of Guinea, and separatist and gang violence in the southeast, where Cameroon’s Anglophone crisis has begun to spill across the border.
Findings revealed that these challenges are affecting the economic growth of the country. They are bedeviling the economic growth of the country and constituting social problems affecting virtually every member of the Nigerian society in one way or another.
However, the current security situation in Northern Nigeria is quite distinct as it is volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous. The dynamic nature of such an environment usually makes it difficult to predict and resolve, as multiple approaches are often required to address such challenges.
This is worrisome considering that Section 14(2) (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 states that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.
This validates the importance attributed to security by the government and the promise to always do more. Paying the necessary attention to security is a priority for governance if it must ensure the growth and development of its citizens.
Despite the widespread turmoil of insecurity challenges especially in the Northern region, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa, recently in a lecture” Assessing the present Security Situation in Northern Nigeria” delivered at the Institute for Development Research and Training Ahmadu Bello University Zaira, said while several threats to Nigeria security persist, the armed forces and security agencies are not bereft of ideas to confront them.
Everybody, according to him, needs to put hands together, support members of the armed forces and the police, and ensure that they can defeat these insurgents and terrorists. He said: “What we realized, especially for the terrorists, they are trying to win the hearts and minds of the people, to show them they are a better alternative to the government.
“That’s why we say if there’s good governance, people will eat, they’ll be healthy, they will have schools to go to, they will have hospitals, they will have good infrastructure. When we have this in place, that will mitigate these challenges.”
Giving a background to the present insecurity bedeviling Northern Nigeria Gen. Musa said “ Nigeria is of great socio-political importance to Africa and the world at large.
“Thus, the contemporary security situation in the country and the north is influenced by both external and internal factors. This is largely because Nigeria is a major actor in the sub-region.
“These amongst several other parameters are testaments of the importance of Nigeria in the continent and across the world.
“On the external scene, the situations in our contiguous nations and their other neighbors have also contributed to the insecurity in Northern Nigeria. For example, the political crisis in Libya and other sub-Saharan countries aggravated the security situation in Nigeria through the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons into the country through Chad and Niger.
“Relatedly, Nigeria shares a 1,600 km total land border with the Republic of Niger, 1,975kms with the Republic of Cameroun, and a total of 85Kms with the Chad Republic. Nigeria also shares a total distance of 809 km with Benin, most of which are in the north.
“The common denominator in all these borders is their porous nature which encourages cross-border movements of criminal elements including the Boko Haram Terrorists, Islamic States of West Africa Province, bandits, kidnappers, armed militias and violent herdsmen among other criminal elements.
“Also, a lot of Citizens in Northern Nigeria share cultural and tribal ties with these countries which makes restriction of unauthorized cross-border movement very difficult to enforce or control. Another factor of insecurity in the north is the effect of climate change which has resulted in increased desertification and the shrinking of Lake Chad.
“This has led to the quest for water and grazing areas thus resulting in clashes and killings, especially across the North West and North Central Regions of the country.”
A Security Expert, Dr.Yahuza Getso Ahmed opined that Northern Nigerian society in one way or another other like any other part of the country, kidnapping, and banditry is used to describe different variants of the outlaw.
Dr.Yahuza Getso Ahmed stressed that in reality, the usage conflates two
underlying problems of ineffective law enforcement in Southern Nigeria, and the crisis of ungoverned spaces in Northern Nigeria.
According to him, there are strong indications that the renewed vigor in military operations across the theatres may be turning the tide against enemies of the state, especially in Northern Nigeria.
He explained that faced with this grim reality, however, the Armed Forces of Nigeria has continued to review its operational strategies, to stay ahead of the non-state actors (NSAs), whose sole agenda is destabilization.
“Since the presidential directive to the military high command to step up ongoing operations across the country, there has been no let-up, at fighting troops have continued to dominate the theatres of battle.
“This is evident in the huge number of suspected terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements killed in the last few weeks, with attendant arrests and recovery of arms, ammunition as well as other items.
“It is important to state that in prosecuting the war against insurgents in the North-East, bandits, and militiamen in the North -West and North Central respectively, the military has adopted a two-pronged strategy – the kinetic and non-kinetic approaches.
“While sustaining the onslaught against criminal elements, offers have continued to be made to them to surrender and embrace amnesty.
“Through the instrumentality of Operation Safe Corridor, hundreds of surrendered combatants have undergone deradicalization, preparatory to their reintegration into society.”
Authenticating this, the Deputy Executive Director of the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Mr. Leo Atakpu observed that lately, the Nigerian Security Agencies have been giving the terrorists and kidnappers across the country a run for their money and Nigerians are pleased with the level of improvements recorded by these Agencies.
“The Military and Police are doing a lot to ensure that terrorists and kidnappers don’t have their way,” he said.
He observed that the country has witnessed a downward trend in the activities of armed bandits and criminal elements with the gallant troops and other security operatives carrying out a series of clearance operations, ambushes, and other aggressive and confidence-building patrols. “These operations have most importantly led to the neutralization of armed bandits, arrest of suspected bandits and their collaborators, rescue of kidnapped victims, recovery of rustled cattle, smashing of illegal arms syndicates and illegal armed miners.
Atakpu however stressed that a whole lot of work still needs to be done.” We still have insurgency in the Northwest, the Northeast, and the North-Central, we still have kidnapping activities in the Southern part of the country and we also have terrorism in the Northeast.”
Mr. Atakpu pleaded that all of these areas need further attention from the Military. “They need to tweak their strategies, to upgrade. We hear of the kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to dealing with security situations in the Country and there’s a need to go beyond all of that.
“There’s a need to introduce technology in this war. It will bring a full end to it and will reduce it to a very reasonable level if Tech is applied.
“For instance, I do not see any reason why terrorists will kidnap people from the road and make big demands from relatives and relations of their victims. I think that technology can stamp that out of this Country.
“I also think that technology will go a long way in giving a finishing stroke to
what is going on in the Northeast and Northwest. You see rag-tag terrorists on motorbikes, sometimes they just play around and issue statements from their various locations, and security agents are unable to track them down. So technology must be properly deployed.
“I looked at this year’s budget and aside from debt service that has collected a huge chunk, I observed that Defense has collected the ‘Lion Share’ in terms of expenditure of the Federal Government.
“Sometimes, we wonder where these funds are going to, if the money budgeted for the defense of this Country is properly channeled and the right equipment and tools are procured, I think it will help, a great deal, in dealing a decisive blow on terrorism and kidnapping, banditry that is going on in this Country.
“So we expect that the present government should do more and Mr President who is the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria should take personal interest in supervision.
“It is not enough for those funds to be released, it is also important to track how the funds are being utilized because that appears to be a major issue.
“I recalled recently that, Sen. Adams Oshiomole raised some critical issues around the utilization of budgeted sums by security Chiefs in this Country.
“He is calling for a probe to pass the present Security Chiefs’ use of budgeted funds to procure security types of equipment and to our chagrin, his colleagues in the Senate, voted against taking appropriate steps to get those Security Chiefs to answer to simple questions or parliamentary oversight that those funds are channeled to building institutions in their Communities and localities as opposed to the procurement of security equipments to deal with terrorism and insurgency across the Country.
“It is a shame on those Senators. All those Senators who voted against Oshiomole’s move should be ashamed of themselves. We must have parliamentary oversight of budgeted sums to Military departments for defense in this Country.
“There is nowhere in the World that money would be budgeted to procure Military types of equipment and the money would be diverted to something else by the Head of Security Chiefs and nobody would ask questions, such can only happen in Nigeria.
“We must bring an end to it and these are some of the reasons that Nigerian Youths are dissatisfied with the kind of Government we have.
“ Why should Security Chiefs allocate to themselves, the responsibility to divert budgetary allocations into other areas that will not support the dealing with the real issues of terrorism and kidnapping in this Country?
“I think that Mr. President if it’s not complacent, should take a personal interest in ensuring that every Kobo voted for procurement of Military types of equipment to deal with insurgence and terrorism in this Country is channeled to where it is supposed to be.
“The National Assembly should also rise to the occasion. It is not enough for them to run away to recess, they should come back from their rest and ensure that this Nation is made to work for the good of everyone in this country.”
But what seems to be a response to Mr Atakpu’s grievances, the CDS, Gen.Musa disclosed that several approaches have been adopted to address the issues of insecurity in the north and the country at large.
These approaches explained are not only restricted to the traditional military action but encompass all strata of the society.
“Nevertheless, the armed forces have adopted the kinetic and non-kinetic approach to achieve national security imperatives in the war against insecurity in Northern Nigeria and across the country. Thus, I will briefly consider the Federal Government’s strategic response and then look at the kinetic as well as the non-kinetic efforts of the Armed Forces of Nigeria”
Gen. Musa harped that the Federal Government of Nigeria in the recent past emplaced certain strategic responses to combat threats to Nigeria and ensure the country’s national security.
“Some of these include the development of the National Counter Terrorism Strategy 2016, establishing the National Counter Terrorism Centre, and enacting the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022, to coordinate our national counter-terrorism efforts.
“In the aspect of violent extremism and the need to address its nexus with terrorism, the Federal Government adopted a Policy Framework and National Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism in 2017.
“Also, inter-governmental and civil society platforms were inculcated to implement a whole-of-society approach in dealing with violent extremism. Additionally, the National Cyber Security Strategy was enacted to provide a framework of guiding principles and plans aimed at addressing cyber security and its related incidents in the country.
“Furthermore, the creation of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, the National Commission for the Coordination of Cyber Security, and the National Financial Intelligence Unit are all efforts at confronting the challenges of terrorism and insecurity across the country.
“At the regional level, the formation of the Multinational Joint Task Force is another strategic government effort geared towards strengthening security across the Lake Chad Basin which is directly linked to Northern Nigeria. Additionally, several dialogues with traditional, faith-based, and state structures of peacebuilding and alternative dispute-resolution mechanisms have been established.
“All these efforts are reflective of the Federal Government’s response in addressing insecurity not only in Northern Nigeria but the nation at large. They have also formed the basis from which the military derives its strategic direction to conduct both kinetic and non-kinetic operations. I shall now consider the Armed forces efforts starting with the kinetic approaches.”
The CDs added that the military is engaged in various Kinetic operations all over the north and the nation by way of its Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency Operations, Internal Security Operations, and combined operations.
Some of these Operations he explained include Operation HADIN KAI covering 3 states in the North East Zone, Operation HADARIN DAJI in the North West, and Operation WHIRL PUNCH covering Kaduna and Niger States.
“Others are Operation SAFE HAVEN covering Plateau, parts of Southern Kaduna and Bauchi States and Operation WHIRL STROKE covering Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba States as well as Operation Accord II, covering Kogi, and parts of Nasarawa State.
“Besides the mentioned joint operations, other subsidiary operations such as Operation HAKORI DAMISA in 3 Division Areas of Responsibility are ongoing.
“The kinetic efforts of troops in various joint and subsidiary operations have yielded positive results across the country. In the North East, the ongoing Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency operations have so far degraded the Boko Haram Terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists while efforts by troops of Operation HADIN KAI have resulted in the mass surrender of over 115,687 terrorists and their families since July 2021 to date.
“Equally, socio-economic activities have improved, and locals who were forced to flee have returned to their homelands. In the North West, the Armed Forces of Nigeria have reduced the spate of armed banditry, cattle rustling, and kidnapping whilst Operations HADARIN DAJI and WHIRL PUNCH continue to dominate respective Joint Operations Areas.
“In the North Central, the recurrent violence in Plateau State particularly Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, and Mangu Local Government Areas is being stabilized through various strategies.
“There is a reduction in terrorist migration to Niger and Kaduna States, degradation of Boko Haram Terrorists/Islamic State West Africa Province, and improved security in Nasarawa and Taraba.
“Also, several measures have been put in place to improve security in the Federal Capital Territory and environs. Overall, the kinetic actions of the Armed Forces of Nigeria have produced positive outcomes which we will continue to sustain. Other successes achieved from our Kinetic approach include improved security along the Abuja – Kaduna Road, the return of many citizens to their ancestral lands and livelihood, and a containment and general improvement of the security situation in the North. Despite these improvements, some challenges still exist which we believe the military non-kinetic activities would help create an enabling environment to address. “
The CDS however disclosed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria as part of its non-kinetic operations, is carrying out a couple of activities to address the security situation in the north.
These activities include actions aimed at winning the hearts and minds of the populace thereby denying the miscreants any room for recruitment. The non-kinetic activities include the de-radicalization, demobilization, disarmament, and reintegration program at Operation SAFE CORRIDOR and improving Civil-Military Cooperation.
“Others are sensitization and awareness campaigns to relevant stakeholders, the building of some public infrastructure, facilitating the resettlement of displaced persons as well as key leader engagements. These activities are aimed at winning the hearts and minds of citizens and encouraging other sectors of society to take ownership of the situation and contribute meaningfully to defeating the multifaceted threats.
“Operation SAFE CORRIDOR is a multi-agency humanitarian scheme designed to de-radicalize, rehabilitate, and reintegrate surrendered, willing, and repentant members of the Boko Haram Terrorist/Islamic State West Africa Province groups.
“The operation is conducted in collaboration with local and international Non-Governmental Organizations. Similarly, during our Civil-Military Cooperation activities, basic amenities are provided to the local populace in targeted areas who in turn provide credible information.
“Additionally, engagement with key leaders of various communities and other stakeholders, especially those that are directly affected by insecurity as well as the veterans, is conducted.
“The objectives of these engagements provide an effective platform for communication with affected communities and establish liaison with stakeholders including security agencies for intelligence and information sharing. In this regard, you are aware of the regular briefings and updates given to members of the press and the public at large.
“The Armed Forces also activated the Safe Schools Initiative in line with the President’s directive to re-enforce security for school children in threat-prone areas to ensure a critical cause of the problem is addressed.
“Furthermore, the involvement of military personnel in building and renovation of some public infrastructure across the country has been impactful in aiding the resettlement of displaced persons. For instance, the Armed Forces of Nigeria constructed roads in Keffi and Maiduguri.
“Bridges have also been constructed in Sokoto and Gembu in Taraba as well as the construction and rehabilitation of houses and infrastructure in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States.
“These actions are aimed at helping the citizens regain their means of livelihood, thereby discouraging them from engaging in crime. It is worthy to note that the non-kinetic efforts of the Armed Forces of Nigeria have produced appreciable outcomes, complementing our kinetic actions. However, some challenges which will be subsequently discussed still exist”
Gen.Musa expressed dismay that despite the successes achieved so far, several challenges still affect the Armed Forces’ efforts towards curbing the various security threats in the Northern part of Nigeria.
He outlines the challenges to include complexities of border management as well as the erroneous perception of security as a task only for uniformed personnel and a lack of patriotism. Others are low human capacity index and perception of lack of justice. These challenges will be discussed subsequently.
Gen. Musa however suggested steps that can be taken to support the contributions of the military to address the mentioned security threats which include bilateral and multilateral arrangements as well as sensitization and reorientation of the citizens.
“Others are investment in human capital development as well as judicial reforms and public engagement and building the capacity of other security agencies. These are discussed subsequently.”
The security situation in Northern Nigeria is complex, as it is characterized by multiple challenges exacerbated by socio-political influences that combine to impact the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s readiness and effectiveness.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria in the conduct of its operations has engaged itself in the kinetic and non-kinetic aspects in a bid to positively resolve its operations.
“The traditional use of force has been complimented with non-traditional approaches such as civil-military relations and civil-military cooperation. The overall objective is the restoration of peace and security in Nigeria while winning the hearts and minds of the general population.
“Though the Armed Forces of Nigeria have had to grapple with some challenges, a lot of effort and resources have been expended to tackle them. It is for this reason that successes have been recorded especially in the conduct of military and non-military operations.
“Nevertheless, the Armed Forces of Nigeria will not rest on its oars but will seek to continually evolve strategies to ensure that total peace and security are restored to the Northern part of Nigeria and our entire beloved fatherland,” he said.
