In his recent visit to Katsina State, President Bola Tinubu told troops of 17 Brigade in Katsina that it was time to read the riot act to bandits, insurgents and other terrorist groups.
“This is a defining moment in our history; let the enemies of Nigeria know – their time is up; the fight you are waging is not just for territory but for the soul of Nigeria,” Tinubu said.
He also pledged his administration’s full support to the armed forces, promising to prioritise their welfare and operational needs.
observers say the president’s words are soothing to Nigerians that are looking forward to more results from the military and other security agencies involved in this fight.
Also recently, the Northern States Governors’ Forum and Traditional Rulers’ Councils, in their meeting in Kaduna, added their voices on the security challenges.
In a communique presented by its Chairman, Gov. Muhammadu Inuwa of Gombe State, the forum resolved to liaise with the Nigerian Governors Forum to work out modalities of how to increase support to the Federal Security Agencies.
“The forum resolved to strengthen peculiar local initiatives in combating all forms of security challenges.
“The forum also resolved to urgently set up inter-state platforms to coordinate surveillance on our joint borders.
“The forum reiterated its support for the creation of state police and called on the National Assembly to expedite action on the enactment of the legal framework for its take off,” Yahaya said.
Similarly, the North East Governors’ Forum, in its latest meeting on May 1 in Damaturu, noted with concern the rising activities of the insurgents in the sub-region and called on all stakeholders to reappraise their strategy in the counter insurgency onslaught in the region.
The forum said that addressing the security challenge required a multidimensional approach of not only the kinetic strategy but also addressing the root causes such as youth employment.
The forum reiterated its commitment by addressing some of the root causes through schemes like agriculture and skills training that would provide employment to teaming youths.
The forum also resolved to work closely with the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education (NCAOOSCE) by providing office space in each state and supporting the enrolment of Almajiri and out-of-school children into formal school.
The Chairman of the forum and Governor of Borno, Prof. Babagana Zulum, while speaking to a Federal Government delegation led by the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, to Borno, urged for a military clampdown on Insurgents enclaves in Lake Chad islands.
“These islands serve as breeding grounds for insurgents who depend on the area for sustenance.
“It is imperative to consider launching coordinated operations to flush them out.”
He further warned that terrorist elements from the North West, North-Central and neighbouring Sahel countries were likely falling back to the islands too to hibernate in view of the island’s viability in farming and fishing activities.
He called for enhanced surveillance and border security, citing the vulnerability of Nigeria’s borders with the Sahel and the infiltration of armed groups and weapons through the region.
Zulum also advocated for increased troops deployment to areas such as the Timbuktu Triangle and the Mandara Mountains, and for continuous and sustained military operations to prevent the reoccupation of previously reclaimed territories.
The governor requested the deployment of more military hardware including Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAPs), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and additional personnel to improve surveillance and fortify vulnerable zones.
“If the Sahel is not secured, the entire country remains vulnerable. There is a pressing need to fortify the Sahel region to end insecurity.
“There should be forces that will keep the ground, otherwise they will come back.
“What brought about the recent situation is we felt everything is okay, but they are regrouping now and I believe the Nigerian military will not allow them to regroup,” Zulum said.
A recent suggestion given by the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Adeola Ajayi, is another key way of adding a major punch to the fight.
Ajayi suggested arming some members of affected communities to serve as the first line of defence in their communities.
Ajayi, during an annual lecture in February organised by the Alumni Association of the National Institute of Security Studies (AANISS) in Abuja, stressed the need to secure approvals that would ensure that affected communities could act as the first line of defence.
“We have to allow some level of armament for the communities, and they can serve as the first line of defence.”
He cited how such approach worked when he was DSS Director in Bauchi State, particularly in Azare and Tafawa Balewa towns.
“Speaking seriously about the practical approach to mobilising to curb insecurity, I will share my experience with you when I was state director in Bauchi.
“Most of you would remember an incident in Azare; a group of terrorists, Boko Haram, had invaded Azare; they were shooting in an attempt to kidnap, and the community chased them.
“They killed some members of the community, but the community members killed all of them; the last guy, Khalid, climbed a tree and was firing, the community stood, they were resilient, and they killed Khalid.
“Since that day, there has not been one terrorist attack on Azare.
“Tafawa Balewa was also a community that used to be in flames in Bauchi.
“And the people of Bogoro and some parts of Tafawa Balewa, where the Sayawas are, know their terrains better, climb on trees and mountains and when the invaders came, they did not only repel them, they seized their weapons and since then you can attest to it that you hardly hear about Tafawa Balewa again.
“What I am trying to say, the practical approach to mobilising people is that you have to get everyone involved; you did not expect the Nigerian Army, Police, DSS to protect every Nigerian or every community; it is not going to work,’’ he said.
Many stakeholders are comfortable with Ajayi’s submission because it also worked in Maiduguri and Biu towns of Borno that led to creation of the Civilian Joint Task Force.
Worthy of recall, angry youths in Maiduguri and Biu town removed fear using sticks to force Boko Haram members out of their respective wards, killing some and arresting some.
In the latest development in Izge village of Gwoza LGA in Borno on Wednesday, hunters in the community supported the army formation there in repelling insurgents’ attack forcing them to retreat with casualties leaving behind their motorcycles and bicycles.
The Borno Government has leveraged on community engagement with the establishment of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) where youths are recruited to participate in supporting the military in defending their communities.
Such youths are on an allowance provided by the state government and they are rewarded time to time with some incentives including recruitment opportunities into the military and other security agencies whenever the need arises.
Some stakeholders also clamour for the deployment of such youths back to their state and communities whenever they are recruited as soldiers or policemen.
According to them, it is another effective way of boosting the fight against terrorists.
“In fact, we want the Federal Government to consider a situation where 50 per cent to 70 per cent of military, police and other security personnel posted to troubled areas like northeast to be indigenes of such areas.
“Similarly, newly recruited security personnel that hailed from troubled states should be deployed to their states and LGAs to fight the menace.
“If you are a security personnel deployed to protect your people, your level of commitment will be maximum.
“You know the terrain, the language, and your people will always feel free to provide you with relevant information to act,” Ibrahim Abubakar, a public commentator said.
Security analysts are of the view that in giving more bites to the fight, there is a need to emulate other nations at war in reducing troops’ casualties by providing timely air support.
According to them, the Air force should take the lead in the offensives against the terrorists from the air, while ground troops follow with mop up operations.
Written by Yakubu Uba, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)