By DUMAH RANDONG & KENNETH DAKOP
Introduction
Nigeria’s ongoing battle against insecurity remains a significant threat to its stability and development. To safeguard its sovereignty and ensure the safety of its citizens, the Nigerian government must implement decisive security measures to address these challenges. The security problems confronting Nigeria are diverse, ranging from terrorism to banditry and secessionist movements. In the Northern region, Boko Haram continues its terror, while in the Southern regions, movements such as the Biafran agitation in the Southeast and the Yoruba Nation in the Southwest complicate the security landscape.
Tinubu’s inheritance and promises
On May 29, 2024, President Bola Tinubu assumed office as the fifth democratically elected President of Nigeria, fully aware that he was inheriting a country riddled with insecurity. Prior to his assumption of office, Nigeria under former President Muhammadu Buhari had become synonymous with a river of blood, flowing with the tears of innocent citizens affected by insurgency, armed banditry, and violent agitations. Thousands of people, including members of the Nigerian Armed Forces, lost their lives, particularly in the Northeast and North Central states of Benue and Plateau. The streets were not safe as kidnapping became rampant nationwide, with many citizens paying the ultimate price or enduring the horrors of captivity, while some had to part with large sums in ransom payments.
There were high expctations for Tinubu’s presidency, with many Nigerians hoping that he would bring the country’s insecurity to an end. His campaign had emphasised the importance of national security, promising swift and effective measures to restore peace and stability. However, despite Tinubu’s assumption of power, killings continued, particularly in Plateau, Benue, and other parts of the country. Armed bandits in the Northwest continued to cause devastation, with thousands of people killed and hundreds of schoolchildren kidnapped in states like Kaduna and Zamfara.
While the armed forces have been active in combating non-state actors, many soldiers have also paid the supreme price in the line of duty. President Tinubu has since acknowledged the challenges but has claimed that the security situation has improved, although the government remains hard at work in tackling the remaining issues. He pointed out that while the situation might not be entirely resolved, efforts are being made to ensure that Nigerians can live with peace of mind in their homes.
Tinubu’s progress and challenges
Since Tinubu took office, it is evident that the government has been working silently behind the scenes to secure the release of captives and mitigate the impact of banditry, kidnapping, and insurgency. However, the situation is far from completely under control. In particular, the Northern region, where Boko Haram and banditry have wreaked havoc, remains a major focus. Thousands of lives have been lost, and the regions continue to suffer from various forms of violence, including insurgency, kidnapping for ransom and ethno-religious conflict.
Despite Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and abundant mineral resources, insecurity remains one of its greatest challenges, exacerbated by negligence on the part of both the government and its citizens. The government, according to the 1999 constitution, bears the ultimate responsibility for defending the nation from internal and external threats. However, beyond military action, addressing Nigeria’s security issues requires a concerted effort to improve education and socio-cultural development. By investing in education that respects and celebrates the country’s diverse cultures while promoting critical thinking and civic responsibility, Nigeria can transition from a state of insecurity to one of stability and progress.
The Boko Haram threat
The insurgency of Boko Haram, which has become a symbol of the country’s complex security issues, remains a serious threat to Nigeria. The group’s opposition to Western education, which they view as a symbol of corruption and moral decay, has fuelled their terror campaigns. Addressing the root causes of Boko Haram’s ideology will require a multifaceted approach, including community-based information centres to facilitate timely intelligence gathering and dissemination. By empowering local communities with the necessary tools and resources to collaborate with security forces, the effectiveness of counter-terrorism efforts can be significantly enhanced.
There is also a pressing need for clarity in the roles and responsibilities of various security agencies, along with coordinated joint operations. Effective coordination among security agencies is essential for optimal resource allocation, the strategic deployment of personnel and asset management. Furthermore, stringent measures must be implemented to prevent government complicity or support for terrorist activities. Scrutinising government officials and legislative bodies through robust oversight mechanisms can help combat corruption and ensure accountability in the fight against terrorism.
Kidnapping for ransom
The scourge of kidnapping for ransom continues to be a pervasive threat in Nigeria’s security landscape. To address this challenge, the government and security forces must adopt a more proactive approach, leveraging advanced intelligence-gathering capabilities and forging strategic partnerships. Enhanced collaboration with neighbouring countries and international partners is crucial for dismantling transnational criminal networks involved in kidnapping and other illicit activities.
Investment in technology and infrastructure, coupled with adequate training and equipping of security operatives, is essential to enhance operational effectiveness and responsiveness. In the Northwest, which has become a hotspot for criminal activities, bandits have taken over much of the forested areas in Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Niger and Kebbi states. Residents in these areas have been subjected to dehumanising treatment, often forced to pay levies to bandits just to access their farms. Kidnapping for ransom has become the order of the day, and in some cases, even after ransoms have been paid, victims are slaughtered as a warning to others.
Banditry and government response
Banditry in Nigeria has taken on a more dangerous dimension, similar to the early days of Boko Haram. Armed bandits have become emboldened, directly engaging security forces in confrontations. Concerns have been raised about internal sabotage and the complicity of some locals, whose actions have empowered bandits to challenge security operatives head-on. However, the Nigerian armed forces have not backed down, and recent confrontations have led to the deaths of several key bandit leaders.
President Tinubu’s directive to Defence Minister Bello Matawalle and Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa to relocate to the epicentre of the banditry crisis has led to notable successes. High-profile bandit commanders, such as Halilu Sububu and Kachalla Makore, have been killed by security forces in Zamfara. Halilu Sububu, a wealthy Nigerien with a large herd of cattle, commanded a large group of bandits, while Kachalla Makore was notorious for his violent activities. Their deaths mark significant victories for the Nigerian military.
One of the most notorious bandits, Bello Turji, remains a significant challenge to security forces. With a ₦5 million bounty on his head, Turji is known for his brazen hostage-taking and public videos where he taunts the authorities and threatens more violence. A recent video showed him and his fighters taking possession of a Mines Resistant Armoured Personnel (MRAP) belonging to the Nigerian Army, which had become stuck in the mud while responding to a distress call. Turji remains at large, but President Tinubu has ordered security forces to capture him, dead or alive.
The banditry crisis has spread beyond Zamfara and into other Northwestern states. Kaduna, which was one of the first states to be affected, has seen the situation escalate over time. What began as isolated incidents of banditry has now engulfed much of the region. Unfortunately, like Boko Haram, banditry has become a serious obstacle to Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
Separatist movements in the Southeast
In the Southeast, separatist groups such as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) continue to be a thorn in Nigeria’s side. These groups have carried out targeted attacks on security personnel and civilians, creating an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty in the region. The infamous “sit-at-home” orders imposed by the separatists have had a devastating impact on the local economy, paralysing business activities and affecting the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians.
President Tinubu must take decisive action to deal with these secessionist agitations. As former Nigerian Head of State General Sani Abacha famously said, “If insecurity lasts more than 24 hours, it means the government has a hand in it.” The government has the tools at its disposal to address these challenges, but it must demonstrate the political will to act swiftly and decisively.
Insecurity in Plateau State
In Plateau State, the situation mirrors that of other North-Central states. Since the outbreak of violent ethno-religious conflict in 2001, Plateau has been engulfed in a cycle of violence that has claimed thousands of lives. One of the most tragic incidents was the massacre in Dogo Nahawa, where over 500 people, including women and children, were slaughtered in a single night. These guerrilla-style attacks on communities have persisted over the years, with no end in sight.
The Mutfwang administration has taken steps to address the security challenges in Plateau. Among the measures implemented are the recruitment of 600 youth to bolster the local security outfit, Operation Rainbow, and the deployment of Agro Rangers, a special unit of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), to protect farmers in rural areas. These initiatives have enabled farmers to return to their fields and resume agricultural activities despite the ongoing insecurity.
In addition, the Plateau State Government has invested in vehicles and other resources for security operatives to improve their mobility and response capabilities. The state has also cultivated large tracts of land for communities affected by attacks, ensuring that food security is maintained despite the displacement of farmers.
Recognising the importance of technology in combating insecurity, the government has established a Security and Information Centre (SIC) to facilitate public reporting of security incidents.
The Security and Information Centre (SIC) allows citizens to report security-related incidents to the relevant authorities through a toll-free hotline, thereby bridging the communication gap between the public and the government. Governor Mutfwang, during the inauguration of the centre, highlighted that this initiative seeks to ensure that communities are actively involved in security efforts by providing real-time information that can prompt swift responses from security agencies.
The government has also articulated its intention to consolidate peace-building efforts across Plateau State, focusing on fostering peaceful coexistence and equitable development. The Mutfwang administration aims to create an inclusive governance process that addresses the needs of marginalised groups, including women, young people, minorities, and individuals with disabilities. Protecting human rights through an appropriate legal and institutional framework is another key priority.
Rebuilding peace in Plateau State
A crucial part of Plateau State’s security strategy involves strengthening the role of traditional institutions in peace-building and community governance. These institutions are well-positioned to mediate local conflicts and facilitate dialogue between warring factions. The government also plans to upscale the efforts of the Plateau Peace Building Agency (PPBA) to implement the “Strategic Road Map to Peace” document and the “Community Security Architecture Dialogue” (CSAD). These initiatives are designed to break the cycle of violence by enhancing social cohesion, promoting reconciliation, and fostering healing through forgiveness.
To further boost security efforts, the government has pledged continued support to security agencies, including Operation Rainbow, by enhancing early warning and crisis detection mechanisms. This includes ensuring the full operation of the Mobile Police Force Barracks in Barkin Ladi and Shendam local government areas, both of which are key to responding to security threats in remote areas.
The Mutfwang administration has expressed its commitment towards ensuring the safe return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their original communities. This is a vital step in rebuilding trust and restoring a sense of normalcy to conflict-affected areas. The government’s aim is to achieve this objective before the end of its first year in office. Returning IDPs to their homes will not only restore their dignity but also contribute to long-term peace and stability in the region.
Conclusion
Nigeria’s security challenges are deeply entrenched and multifaceted, ranging from terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping, to separatist movements and ethno-religious conflicts. President Tinubu’s administration has made progress in addressing some of these issues, but much work remains to be done. His approach, combining military action with strategic partnerships, community engagement and technological investments, provides a promising framework for improving national security. However, the road to peace and stability will require sustained effort, collaboration and a commitment to addressing the root causes of insecurity.
In Plateau State, the Mutfwang administration’s focus on local security initiatives, peace-building, and the protection of vulnerable groups sets an example for how state governments can play an active role in addressing insecurity. By fostering collaboration between security agencies, traditional institutions, and local communities, the government can build a more resilient and peaceful society.
As Nigeria marks 64 years of independence, the journey towards securing the nation’s future is far from over. Yet, with the right policies, leadership and collaboration, there is hope that Nigeria can overcome its security challenges and unlock its full potential as Africa’s most populous nation.