The Questions Of Insecurity In Nigeria

Insecurity in Nigeria has posed a national questions in which up till this moment no formidable answer has been provided. If Britain had failed to proffer solution to insecurity challenges in the country before independence and Nigeria rulers failed to do this after almost 53 years of independence (1960-2013), something is definitely wrong with the approach so far. Does it not occur to the president that we should get back to the drawing board?

Safeguarding the sovereign, independence and territorial integrity of the state was the central pillar of Nigeria national security policy. Other guiding principles were Africa unity and independence, non-intervention in internal affairs of other states, and regional economic development and security cooperation. Subordinate goals included military self-sufficiency and regional leadership. In pursuing these goals, Nigeria was diplomatic and flexible, but it employed coercive method or measured force when necessary. Nigeria, was an active participant in the United Nations (UN), OAU and ECOWAS, in 1990, the leadership seemed intent on retrenchment, according priority to domestic political and economic problems and displayed a mature and conciliatory approach to foreign policy. Against the background of darting security challenges, Nigeria has experienced in recent years culminating into the Independence Day bombing, I can not help but ask: what manner of security apparatus protects Nigeria and Nigerians?

After the 2011 general election, the security situation became fluid, bombings and assassinations, politicians pushed forward agendas that have nothing to do with the well being of Nigerians; militants, terrorists, religions zealots and plain criminals become bolder and more sophisticated.

To an average Nigerian,   law enforcement and security issues are the business of the police, the SSS and the army. However, though these organizations coordinate operations and their briefs may overlap, there are clear boundaries. The Nigerian police are concerned with law enforcement, law maintenance, crime detection and public safety. The SSS is responsible for overt and covert measures to protect Nigeria, her institutions of state including the president and visiting foreign dignitaries. The Nigeria army safeguards the country’s territorial sovereignty but it can also be drafted into internal security operations when situation became too explosive for the police.

With this background, Nigeria ought to ask question about their security. Even if for national security purposes, our security chieftains do not answer these posers via press conferences, or on pages of newspapers, they should give them serious thought. Security, just like politics, is too serious to be left to the politicians.

How functional are the espionage or intelligence- gathering and analysis departments of our security agencies? Are the officers well trained well equipped and well motivated? Is their knowledge about covert or undercover operations up to date? Are round pegs being put in round holes? Imagine, what sense would it make to send a Christian-Igbo intelligence officer who has no in-depth knowledge of Hausa language to infiltrate Boko Haram?

Nigeria is a big territory peopled by heterogeneous groups with different interests and links. To whom do men and women we entrust our security on their loyalty?

At what point do such loyalty clash with what should be the security operatives guiding principles: ultimate loyalty to Nigeria as a united, single federal state? If both the citizens and government are not sure of this, then Nigeria is riding on the back of a tiger.

So, how do our security agencies relate their ‘overseas partner’? Do or can they pay attention to attainable intelligence from friends? Inspite of her vaunted independent Africanist foreign policy, Nigeria remains firmly entrenched in the capitalist pro-western bloc as a satellite state which has far reaching implications for our security agencies.

Almost 53 years of independence, have our security services rid themselves of the ‘us’ against ‘them’ mentality? It is not in the interest of any security service to antagonize the people it is supposed to be working for. It is time our security chieftains review their concept of ‘more presence, more sound, more thunder, no rain’ security measure Gun-toting, fierce-looking police officers may intimidate an average Nigeria who has only verbal bombs but they will not deter the determined terrorists, militant or assassin.