By Asunmogejo Yusuf Olawale
As we roundup the analysis of the security events that saw the front pages of the newspapers in 2020, it’s imperative to look deeply into the performance of the current administration to bring forth, what transpired their failure in the fight against insurgency.
The twists and turns that characterized the security scenes instigated the recent strategic methodologies that have been adopted by the military in their fight against insurgency. No doubt the military has lost grip of their power, command, and control to combat banditry, kidnapping, and insurgency in northern Nigeria.
Without belaboring the issues at hand, let’s take a quick drive at why Mr. President has failed to win the fight against Insurgency:
CONTINUOUS LACK OF GROUND STRATEGY
It’s so disheartening to point out that despite Buhari’s knowledge of the art of war, he has failed to come out with a clear map and ground strategy on how to win the fight against insecurity in Nigeria. It’s shocking to reveal that the Chiefs of Staff are the ones controlling the show, while Mr. Buhari is busy parading himself as the commander-in-Chief.
One of the major military’s fighting strategy is the conventional strategy – and clearly, it has shown that this strategy or fighting plans need to be changed. The Insurgents are used to unconventional methods based on studied reports and analysis of their attacks over the years.
They are non-state actors and the fight against their system should also reflect that.
The operations of the military in the past five years have been ‘hard action’ – an example is the Operation Lafiya Dole. While soft actions-soft powers are needed to whittle down the powers of the Insurgents, Mr. Buhari and his military officers have consumed themselves with the obscure system that has failed to produce significant results.
Recall that in 2019, a report from the International Community indicated that the Boko Haram Insurgents have resumed initiatives that can cause massive destruction on the military. The President and his cohorts failed to address that effect and this has been the bane of the recent attacks-an example is the 43 rice farmers killed in Zamberi.
Earlier this month, Gov.Zulum of Borno reiterated the use of unconventional means such as empowering the JTIF to combat these Insurgents, only if his statements are considerable enough to be acted upon by Mr. President.
INEFFICIENT USE OF THE NATION’S WEAPONRY
Since the commencement of this administration in 2015, a total of 25 fighter aircrafts have been purchased. The list below shows a quick recount of the purchases:
. 10 Super Mushsmax Aircraft
. 5 M1-35M Helicopter Gunship
. 2 Bell 412 Helicopter
. 4 Agusta 109 Power Attack Helicopter
. 2 M1-171E Helicopter
To add to the list, the following are the yet-to-be-delivered fighter aircrafts;
. 12 Super Tucano Aircraft – USA – To be delivered in 2021
. 3 JF-17 Fighter Aircraft – Pakistan – To be delivered in 2021
With a dispassionate look into the above-mentioned purchases, one would wonder why Nigeria still suffers in the hands of the Insurgence. Truth be told, these fighter jets are enough to decapitate the Insurgents if we have competent hands on deck. It’s saddening that most of the frontliners of war are not skilled enough to use these fighter jets. How do we move from here?
Mr. Buhari bought additional three fighter jets to add to the nation’s weaponry. How much of a game-changer would this be to salvage Nigeria from terror and attacks. How many airstrikes were recorded in 2020?.
Reiteratively, airstrikes have been according to the success records from the Defense Headquarters, the only powerful force to knock down the Insurgents.
Although Mr. Buhari has assured Nigerians of massive improvements in the coming year; it is believed that the military will step up their game to win the fight against terrorism.
LACK OF SkILLED INTELLIGENCE
One of the undisputed factors that have contributed to Buhari’s failure in the fight against terrorism is the lack of skilled intelligence in the military. Several reports from the Defense Headquarters show that the Nigerian military lacks real-time intelligence and analytical skills associated with intelligence gathering and management.
It’s desolating that military intelligence under Mr. Buhari’s administration hasn’t received any significant progress in the conduct of security operations in Nigeria.
Despite over $5 billion spent on the fight against terrorism, the Nigerian military under Buhari’s watch still lacks the requisite technological platform to effectively conduct research, development, and analysis. Some of the attributed challenges confronting the intelligence systems from leaked reports include: lack of ICT facilities and the absence of technical and intelligence collection means.
A proof of Buhari’s failure on working intelligence is the recent outcry by the Elders of North-Central States when they lamented the state of insecurity in the region. They hinged their lamentations on a leaked intelligence report of the likely existence of Boko Haram camps in the Federal Capital Territory, Kogi, and Nasarawa States.
If we are in doubt as to whether or not the intelligence was acted upon; Why hasn’t the military come out with a ground map of defense if truly they have acted on the intelligence reports. This is indeed a failure we hope to avert come 2021.
Conclusively, it’s is hoped that the security events in Nigeria will take a positive turn in the coming year. The President has indeed come out to repose confidence in Nigerians with his plan tagged the game-changer plan.
It is hoped that the security events will take a positive heading come 2021.
