Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has identified intelligence gathering, effective information flow and stronger military-civilian collaboration as critical to ending terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria.
Buratai spoke on Friday in Lagos during the public presentation of Beyond Military Force: A Strategy for Countering Terrorism in Nigeria: A Handbook, authored by Prof. Joan Ugo Mbagwu of the Department of Peace, Criminology and Security Studies, Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The retired army chief, who was the guest of honour at the event held at Moremi Hall, Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, said Nigeria needed a coordinated approach involving the military, police, civilian institutions and local communities to effectively confront the country’s security challenges.
He commended the Armed Forces for their efforts in combating insurgency over the past two decades but cautioned against relying solely on military operations to maintain peace across the country.
“ The military has done well to check the menace of the insurgents so far,” Buratai said.
He, however, noted that significant security challenges remained, particularly in the North-East and North-West.
“If you go up North-East, we still have serious issues. In the North-West, the military is trying, but in the remote areas the bandits are still causing a lot of havoc,” he said.
Buratai stressed the importance of credible intelligence in counter-insurgency operations, saying security agencies could not effectively tackle terrorists and bandits without timely information from communities.
He also expressed concern over alleged support being provided to insurgents by some Nigerians, including the supply of food, money and information, as well as other forms of assistance.
According to him, such support undermines efforts to bring terrorism to an end and makes the security situation more difficult to resolve.
The former army chief further warned against overstretching the military with responsibilities that should ordinarily be handled by civilian security institutions.
He called on the Nigeria Police Force to strengthen its capacity and play a more prominent role in maintaining internal security and public order.
Buratai also commended Mbagwu for examining terrorism from a broader perspective, describing the book as an important intellectual contribution to the understanding of Nigeria’s security challenges.
He recommended the publication to scholars, research centres, tertiary institutions and military establishments.
“She has written a research book of note,” he said.
Mbagwu, while explaining the motivation behind the book, said she examined factors that contributed to the emergence and persistence of insurgency, including radicalisation, lack of peace, poor socio-economic conditions and an overreliance on a government-centred security structure.
She said the publication also explored possible measures for mitigating terrorism, including deradicalisation, improved socio-economic conditions and stronger collaboration among government, communities and civil society organisations.
Mbagwu illustrated the link between poverty and recruitment into criminal and extremist groups, arguing that vulnerable citizens could be susceptible to financial inducements from insurgents.
“For instance, I want to consider a situation whereby a citizen who is suffering from acute poverty or aggrieved in one way or the other is being offered financial succour by the insurgents to work against his country. Surely, he would gladly grab the opportunity,” she said.
She therefore urged the Federal Government to address socio-economic challenges affecting citizens and tackle grievances associated with perceived injustice as part of efforts to achieve sustainable peace.
Chairman of the occasion, Pastor Olubunmi Ajala, also called on Nigerians to contribute to building a safer and more peaceful country.
“We have no other place we can call our own,” Ajala said, while commending the author for her contribution to the national security debate.
Coordinator of the book launch, Chief Uchegbunaam Carnice Onwudiwe, said peace in Nigeria remained important to him despite living abroad.
“I am committed to ensuring peace in Nigeria. Even though I am in the diaspora, peace in Nigeria is paramount to me,” he said.
The project strategist, Ajayi Adeboye, said the book launch began from an encounter with the author during a visit to Onwudiwe’s residence.
He commended Mbagwu for addressing issues affecting peace and security in Nigeria.
A major highlight of the event was the formal launch of the book, with Buratai leading the fundraising by purchasing five copies for N1 million.
Other guests also supported the publication by purchasing copies at various amounts.
Buratai was subsequently presented with an award in recognition of his contributions to peacekeeping and the fight against terrorism in Nigeria.
