By Yakubu Shendam
The society functions like a system with different component parts that must play their roles effectively in other to keep the system moving. Any part that fails to function or functions inefficiently either slows the system or brings it down completely. Systems and networks are therefore, by nature designed to always work together.
A critical look at a systems such as the eco system, the respiratory system, the economic system etc will show that systems are made up of intricate but independents parts which work for the efficient functioning of the system to produce results.
A nation’s security is a system comprising of different components which may be independent but are designed to work together to secure the citizens and territory of such nation. The Nigerian security system has such components as the Army, the Airforce, Navy, the Police force, immigration, Customs, DSS, Civil defence, NIA and some other components. All of these and the people of our nation at large constitute our security system.
The Nigerian state has a beautiful security system with very competent personnel that are cut across all the components of the system. These are supposed to function together as a system with each part playing it’s constitutional duty. There are also civilian groups and individuals who’s supply of information will be invaluable in ending insecurity. However, looking at the current trend of events it does appear that some security agencies need to up their tact. For instance, many security experts have singled out illegal influx of non-Nigerians in to the country as well as importation of contraband goods like arms as major security threats. Regrettably, many commentators fail to assess the security challenges holistically but rather heap blame squarely on the Nigerian Armed forces particularly the jackpot – the Nigerian Army.
This may be understandable because of the workaholic and daring attitude of the Army under the current leadership. This has however created the erroneous impression that security is an exclusive military or specifically Army affair and hence some other sister security agencies (key stakeholders) are tactically maintaining a form of aloofness. Whether it is acknowledge or not, the Nigerian army, as at today, appears to be single handedly doing a job meant for five or more sister agencies in spite of obvious shortcomings in the areas of combat equipment and technology. It is therefore uncharitable to align with enemies of the Nigerian state to malign the armed forces of Nigeria.
Instructively, heads of the military in Nigeria have track records of excellence which has made them the best to prosecute the war on terror and banditry in our country. General Buratai for example is one of the most decorated and celebrated Army chief in the history of the Nigerian Army. He has served in almost all army formations in the country and has what it takes to end all forms of criminality in the country as no terrain is new to him. His appointment by president Muhammadu Buhari was timely and well celebrated. At a time the nation was almost grounded by terrorists the appointment of this gallant and selfless officer rekindled hope among Nigerians.
Since his appointment, many deliberate campaigns, exercises or operations such as the Operations Python Dance, Crocodile Smile, Operation Hadarin Daji, Operation Sahel Sanity and Operations Ayem AKpatuma, Lafia Dole, Safe Haven amongst others were introduced in different sections of the country to checkmate identified security challenges prevalent in the areas. The Nigerian Army in conjunction with other security agencies have so far cleansed the South East, South South and the North Central region of some peculiar security threats in the areas, which helped in making the country safe and secured. This boosted the economy as oil theft and pipelines vandalisation were contained to manageable proportion. All these was at a time when production and distribution networks of the Nation’s petroleum sector was almost crippled by the activities of militants and oil bunkerers among others.
The progress the military has achieved so far should be celebrated by all patriotic men and women of this country considering the level of decay on insecurity over the years. It is possible that even if all Nigerians should be recruited into the military without patriotism and unity of purpose, we can’t achieve much because a house divided against itself can’t stand. We must allow the armed forces and indeed other security agencies to do their work just as it is most reasonable for everybody to sit up, collaborate and collectively defeat terrorism and armed banditry in our country.
For instance, the situation in the North East is regrettable, particularly with our porous boarders where the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Nigeria Customs Service are supposed to safeguard but are not doing much to secure the boarders. Blaming the Nigerian Army for crimes committed by criminals who go and come as they wish is uncharitable.
The problem in the security networks is not about bad leadership or poor funding. It is about followership and dedication. Over the years and all over the world security, had been a cause of concern for developed and developing countries like Nigeria. In fact all countries of the world face challenges. This is why the craze for changing security chiefs should be jettisoned as it has never solved any security situation, rather it may compound it as the new chiefs will have to waste valuable time trying to master the game of before contemplating a new strategy. This will cause more harm than good. Nigeria had witnessed security challenges since 2007. The country had changed security chiefs since that period but the situation failed to abet.
Another area of concern in the fight against insecurity is the role of state and local governments. State Governors receive huge sums of money as security votes. The same thing applies to local government chairmen. The question is what are they using these monies for? The states and local governments have a big role to play and must not shy away from it. Politicising the security of a nation is very dengerous for any serious government. The Army in particular is the pride and last hope of any nation’s existence. They therefore deserve support and logistics as well as quality intelligence to function properly.
A pertinent suggestion will be to ask the Nigerian Army under the leadership of Lt General TY Buratai to annex the Nigerian Army school of Infantry to Sambisa Forest Special Forces Unit (SSSFU) or establish a special force which will be known as Nigeria Army West African Border Command (NAWAB). These efforts will put the necessary structures needed for manpower training needed for the fight against insurgents.
With special training on guerrilla warfare to protect our entry points from other West Africa countries, Nigeria will not only defeat the insurgents but will also be a rallying point for the fight against terrorism and insurgents within the West African sub region and the world at large.
Nigeria government releases billions of taxpayers money as allocation to Customs and Immigration every year to perform same functions the Army is expected to perform by way of stemming the flow and activities of insurgents across the borders, yet nobody is asking the Immigration about how the crisis on our borders are handled.
Yakubu Shendam, a Youth National President writes from Abuja.