29th March, 2024
The professionalism of Nigeria’s security has been questioned with the ubiquitous violence across the land. Terrorism and banditry claimed 63,111 souls during Muhammad Buhari’s presidency between 2015-2023. The whole security architecture must be revamped to the reality of the present challenges, the Military, Police and the State Security Service must be upgraded to serve the nation properly and to create a conducive environment for Nigerians and foreign investors.
The damage insecurity has done to the economy is colossal and detrimental to the foundation of Nigeria’s nascent democratic experience. Kidnapping and abduction that was once viewed as an aberration is now a thriving industry with political undertone. The National Security Adviser and all Nigeria security chiefs, Military, Police and State Security Service need to come up with coherent tactics in reducing the incessant insecurity confronting the territorial sovereignty of the land.
The clamor for state police is incessantly growing across the nation and heeding the call is a step in the right direction. According to the Nigeria’s Constitution Section 34(1), Every individual is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person, and subsection a, b, c, categorically stipulates that no one should be subject to torture, slavery or servitude and any inhuman treatment. The kidnapping and abduction spree witnessed in the land is a complete violation of fundamental human rights of the victims and the government must be present to fight for the downtrodden and the oppressed.
USA is the bastion of modern democracy, and the police system is numerous with FBI and CIA to complement the security architecture. Intelligence sharing and technologically enhanced law enforcement agencies is the modern and proactive way to combat crime in the 21st century. The pre-independence era brought a security set up that was majorly to protect the imperial posture of the colonial occupants. The reality of the present Nigeria is to build a security architecture that takes into cognizant the fundamental human rights of every Nigerian to live with dignity and co-exist without being intimidated by any primordial bias and sentiments along religious and tribal emotions.
The security challenges confronting the nation is driven primarily by hunger and politics which justifies the clamour of the 16 state governors out of 36 calling for state police and constitutional review. Intelligence gathering and sharing is still the right strategy and tactics to combat insipid security witnessed in the nation. The security set up in Nigeria should be built on intelligence gathering and sharing of vital information. A classic instance of intelligence gathering and information sharing, the 287 students that were abducted on March 7, 2024 in Kuriga Kaduna state were rescued in Zamfara state on early hours of March 24th 2024. The success of the operations was attributed to intelligence gathering and information sharing by all the stakeholders, Military, Police, Vigilantes and the Government officials. The rescue operation was faster because of the collaborative efforts of the security operatives.
Terrorists attacks are unpredictable, and their targets are always weak spots that have little or no security presence which has been the pattern of the numerous attacks of the terrorists organization and its affiliates in Nigeria since the Chibok attack of 2014. There is a cogent need to gather information about threats and share information from the local governments, states, regions and the federal government. The easiest targets of the terrorists have always been schools, farms, religious centers and villages which most times have zero security presence. It is pertinent for all government security outfits to build a needed security responsibility to protect our core values which is the right to fundamental human rights and tribal coexistence. All the security apparatus must be refined to improve and broaden their scope of quality intelligence gathering and prompt response to terrorist attacks.
The government should build a homegrown counter terrorism strategy that caters for all Nigerians regardless of tribe, religion and creed. Hiding under politics and religious agitations to perpetuate evil must be frowned against and the culprits must be arrested to face the full wrath of the law. The Ministry of Interior must be upgraded to function in information sharing capacity to all security organizations in the country in the view of maintaining internal security. Technology must play a relevant part in the security journey of Nigeria in the 21st century. Data and information should be the cornerstone of intelligence gathering and sharing amongst all security organizations.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has shown resolve and leadership by refusing to negotiate with terrorists which should be applauded by the oppositions. Playing politics with national security is dangerous and should be discouraged by every Nigerian. The economic loss caused by insecurity is immeasurable and putting a stop t it would aid in economic growth and development. The audacious goal of $1Trillion economy by 2030 is achievable because a secured nation brings peace and prosperity. The security and prosperity of Nigeria is sacrosanct, it should be the goal of all political parties.
Oluwagbenga Oyebanji
Public Analyst
siemmag@gmail.com