Nigeria's Battle Against Insecurity: A Path Forward

Challenges Facing Nigeria's Security Landscape

Let me tell you something, folks. Nigeria is facing one of the toughest security challenges in its history, and it's not just about one group or one issue. We're talking about a complex web of threats from terrorists, bandits, herdsmen, and other criminal gangs. It's like trying to put out fires in every corner of the country, and it feels like there's no end in sight.

As the security forces step up their fight against these groups, the toll has been staggering. Thousands of lives lost, properties worth trillions gone up in smoke—it's a national tragedy. The Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS) just released a report showing that Nigerians paid a shocking ₦2.2 trillion in ransom to kidnappers between May 2023 and April 2024. That's just one year under President Bola Tinubu's administration. If you add the eight years of former President Muhammadu Buhari's leadership, the numbers could be even more staggering.

A Look Back at Nigeria's Security Struggles

Now, if we rewind to the days of President Goodluck Jonathan, it was mainly the Boko Haram insurgency that had everyone on edge. But under President Buhari, things took a darker turn. It wasn't just Boko Haram anymore. Communities across Nigeria were under siege—herdsmen, bandits, kidnappers, and all sorts of criminal gangs were wreaking havoc. It seemed like a new breed of criminals had found a way to make money off of the pain and suffering of Nigerians.

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From Agatu in Benue State to Zurmi and Gusau in Zamfara State, from Nimbo and Eha-Amufu in Enugu State to Owo in Ondo State, and Kajuru and Kauru in Kaduna State—no part of Nigeria has escaped the violence. It's a national emergency, and it's affecting every aspect of life in the country.

Memories of Kidnappings That Shook the Nation

Remember the 109 girls abducted from the Government Girls Science and Technical College in Dachi, Yobe State, back in February 2018? Or the over 300 students taken from the Government Science Secondary School in Kankara, Katsina State, in December 2020? And let's not forget the 27 students from Government Science College Kagara in Niger State in February 2021, or the 80 students and five teachers from Government College in Birnin Yauri, Kebbi State, in June 2021. These incidents are more than just numbers; they're stories of fear, pain, and resilience.

A Conversation with Air Vice Marshal Moses Onilede

In a recent interview, Naija News sat down with a former senior officer of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Moses Onilede (rtd). With over three decades of experience in the Air Force, AVM Onilede shared his insights on the security challenges facing Nigeria today. We talked about everything from allegations of foreign funding for Boko Haram to the unfortunate business of kidnapping, soldiers' attacks on civilians, and how we can finally put an end to this cycle of insecurity.

Assessing Nigeria's Security Situation

Naija News: What's your take on the nation's security? With banditry, herdsmen attacks, Lukarawa, abduction, and Boko Haram, is the government winning the war against insecurity?

AVM Onilede: Look, security is not a static thing. It's a moving target that requires constant adaptation. The government has been trying hard, launching military operations, gathering intelligence, and working with neighboring countries. But let's be real, there are successes and challenges. The fact that banditry, terrorism (which is still around, though reduced), kidnapping, and other criminal activities persist shows that we need to do more. We need intelligence-driven operations, better community engagement, and a focus on the socio-economic factors that fuel insecurity.

What Needs to Change?

Naija News: So, what needs to change? Who needs to step up? And who should be held accountable?

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AVM Onilede: Security is everyone's responsibility. The government and security agencies play a big role, but citizens also need to pitch in. We need to strengthen collaboration between different agencies, use technology for better surveillance and intelligence, and tackle issues like unemployment and poor governance. Instead of pointing fingers at individuals, we should focus on improving the systems and making sure there's accountability. That's how we'll start seeing real progress.

The Lucrative Business of Kidnapping

Naija News: You've talked about kidnapping being a lucrative business. What's driving it, and who's benefiting from it?

AVM Onilede: Kidnapping is thriving because it's seen as an easy way to make money, especially in areas where law enforcement is weak. Criminal groups are highly organized, and ransom payments give them a financial incentive. There are definitely individuals and groups benefiting from this, which makes it harder to stop. The way to address it is through intelligence-led policing, disrupting ransom payment channels, and creating economic opportunities to reduce the number of people drawn into these crimes.

Military-Civilian Relations

Naija News: Nigerians often fear military personnel, especially when they're in uniform. There are stories of Air Force personnel causing trouble, like the incident at Ikeja Discos. What's behind these actions, and how can we reduce them?

AVM Onilede: The military is all about discipline and professionalism, but when incidents of misconduct happen, they reflect poorly on the entire institution. These actions can be driven by stress from operations, a lack of conflict resolution training, or even young soldiers feeling a sense of power. The military has mechanisms to deal with these issues, but we need more training on civil-military relations and human rights. We also need to reinforce accountability for any unprofessional behavior.

Foreign Funding Allegations

Naija News: US Senator Scott Perry claimed that USAID funded Boko Haram. Do you think there's any truth to that?

AVM Onilede: Serious allegations like this need credible evidence before we jump to conclusions. Over the years, Boko Haram has gotten funding from various sources—ransom payments, illegal trade, and foreign sympathizers. My suggestion is that the Nigerian government and its international partners should focus on cutting off these financial channels. Any specific allegations should be investigated properly through diplomatic and security channels. We can't just dismiss or assume things without evidence.

Are Foreign Forces Involved?

Naija News: Do you think there are foreign hands fanning the flames of insecurity in Nigeria?

AVM Onilede: Security threats in Nigeria have both internal and external factors. Internally, socio-economic conditions and governance challenges play a big role. Externally, things like arms trafficking, ideological influences, and transnational criminal networks also contribute. That's why regional and global collaboration is so important. Nigeria's partnerships with neighboring countries and international security organizations are crucial for tackling these issues effectively.

A Path Forward for Nigeria

Naija News: How can Nigeria finally put an end to this insecurity?

AVM Onilede: We need a multi-faceted approach to tackle insecurity. Here's what we should focus on:

• Strengthening Intelligence and Surveillance: We need to invest in technology-driven solutions, like drones and advanced surveillance systems, to stay ahead of the criminals.

• Enhancing Law Enforcement and Military Operations: Our security forces need better equipment and training to respond effectively to threats, all while respecting human rights.

• Community Engagement and Policing: We need to encourage local communities to work with security forces, providing intelligence and early warnings.

• Tackling Root Causes: Addressing unemployment, poverty, and lack of education will reduce the number of people vulnerable to recruitment by criminal groups.

• Judicial Reforms and Accountability: Ensuring swift prosecution of criminals and making sure security agencies operate within legal frameworks will build public trust.

• Strengthening Institutional Capacity: Well-functioning government institutions are essential for maintaining law and order, ensuring fair justice, and providing necessary infrastructure and services.

No single solution will fix everything overnight, but a sustained, coordinated effort by everyone—government, security agencies, civil society, and citizens—will make a big difference. Most importantly, without strong governance, other measures like military interventions, intelligence gathering, and law enforcement won't lead to long-term success. Addressing governance challenges is key to achieving lasting security in Nigeria.

And while you didn't ask about the National Orientation Agency (NOA), I believe it plays a critical role in addressing security challenges. By shaping public perception, fostering national unity, and promoting civic responsibility, the NOA can help combat misinformation, distrust in government, and weak civic engagement. The Agency needs to step up its efforts in addressing ethnic and religious divisions, hate speech, ethnic profiling, and divisive politics. These are all factors that fuel insecurity, and the NOA's role is indispensable.