Insecurity and the four wisemen: Historic, or “footnote”? (2)
We must always remember that the security sector comprises the military, paramilitary and intelligence services, and the civilian structures responsible for their oversight and control. They are all empowered by the 1999 Constitution to protect the country and all communities within it. So, can the military alone defeat the insurgents and bandits? Certainly not! Defeating insurgents and bandits is a collective responsibility of all Nigerians.
All citizens and the entire security sector must be involved in the fight against insurgents and bandits. Civilians are encouraged to provide information and intelligence, if any, to security agents. A well–equipped and well–motivated Army with boots on the ground is essential but not enough to defeat the insurgents and bandits.
The Army needs support from the Air Force, while the country needs a virile Navy to take charge of maritime threats in her territorial waters. If by the year 2023, insurgents and bandits are defeated on land by the Army and other security agencies; piracy and sea robbery are significantly reduced by the Navy; and dominance of our airspace is sustained by the Air Force, the appointment of these new service chiefs will be historic, and Nigerians would be most grateful.
In order to achieve optimal positive outcomes in the war against insurgents and bandits, Nigeria must converge the elements of national power – diplomacy, information, military, economy, and population – into a solid plan to provide security for the country. Yes, we need all elements of national power to defeat insurgents and bandits.
Diplomacy exists at the military level between Nigeria and her neighbours as part of strategies of the government to addressing the challenges of insurgency. These efforts have led to improved regional cooperation and strengthening of the Multinational Joint Task Force, according to a military expert. But we need to do more because our borders are still porous.
For sub-regional peace and stability, we need more diplomatic engagements to influence our immediate neighbours to help stop the incursion of armed bandits and insurgents through our borders into the northern part of Nigeria. The porosity of Nigerian borders is the main factor encouraging illegal arms, and insurgence in the country. Some trade experts have linked the flourishing of arms market in Africa to the strengthening of BH insurgency in Nigeria.
Through astute diplomacy, our neighbours can do more than they are currently doing to check the movement of bandits and insurgents into our country. Nigeria can get whatever defence equipment and technologies required from advanced nations. Intelligence surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance gathering capabilities of the military must be improved, while thorough analysis of information must be done by those who are to use it to achieve mission objectives. All these cost money.
The strength of the country’s economy will largely influence the funds available to the military and other security agencies to provide security. Poorly managed economy is one of the reasons why many developing countries are less secured than developed nations. Without a strong economy all other components of national security cannot be managed effectively. That is why the national economy must be maintained and developed properly by those in authority.
The military must gain the support of the people. The population must be effectively protected. We will achieve victory when there is a permanent isolation of insurgents from the population. And to achieve this, one may argue that we need more boots on the ground. Some analysts are of the view that with “ample boots, firearms and technology, the war against insurgents and bandits would permanently come to end with victory on the side of Nigeria.” Good suggestion!
But, can Nigeria afford it? These are crucial questions to which only the federal government can provide the correct answer. Some defence economists will argue strongly that scarce resources allocated to defence means that resources will not be available for alternative use such as providing social welfare – quality education and medical facilities, as well as physical and technological infrastructures – to over 200 million people. This perhaps, is one of the reasons why defence of a nation is often controversial.
If the appointment of these new service chiefs is not to be a “footnote”, the following must happen: All service chiefs without interference from politicians must appoint capable and competent subordinates to positions of authority in order to achieve the military objective of the war against insurgents. The military should cater to the welfare and logistics requirements of their officers and men. No one wins a war on empty stomach. All these cannot happen without visionary leadership, adequate logistical preparations, and tri-service cooperation among others.
On the side of political leadership, good governance must be pursued at all levels of government. Good governance is vital and without it, all efforts to defeat insurgents and bandits would be naught. On good governance, the head of the Holy See, Pope Francis, sums it up as follows: “Every man, every woman who has to take up the service of government must ask themselves two questions: Do I love my people in order to serve them better? Am I humble and do I listen to everybody, to diverse opinions in order to choose the best paths? If you don’t ask these questions, your governance will not be good.” I have no doubt that good governance depends squarely on the personal qualities of those who govern.
Finally, the oversight functions of the National Assembly over the military must be of better quality. Nigerians expect accountability and transparency in the way limited defence budget is allocated between equipment and personnel; and among land, sea and air forces. Military commanders must use limited resources efficiently, combining their inputs of arms, personnel and bases to provide security and protection of citizens. Without security in Nigeria, there will be no rapid economic growth. Thank you. (Concluded)
No one wins a war on empty stomach. All these cannot happen without visionary leadership, adequate logistical preparations, and triservice cooperation among others
Johnson is an author and a retired naval engineer who has passion for African development and good governance