Tinubu’s 100 Days: The Highs and Lows of Nigeria’s Security
By Kabir Abdulsalam
Today marks 100 days since Sen. Bola Tinubu assumed office as the President of Nigeria. Ahead of his inauguration, Nigerians had high expectations for a new era, filled with great hopes.
The nation held its breath, eager to witness the transformative changes promised by his administration. In these early days of his Presidency, Tinubu has navigated the intricate landscape of Nigeria, encountering both remarkable achievements and formidable challenges.
Meanwhile, the nation’s security landscape has been marred with a series of issues including insurgency, terrorism, banditry, and communal clashes, particularly in states like Plateau, Zamfara, Niger, and others.
Tinubu, during the 2023 electioneering, had vowed to introduce a new “doctrine” and “architecture” to combat the escalating security woes that have plagued the country for years.
However, the security situation in the country has remained volatile, 100 days since he took over power.
In recent weeks, there have been a number of high-profile attacks, including the loss of 36 officers of the military and soldiers in an ambush attack by bandits and a helicopter crash in Niger state.
But towards ensuring that he fulfills his electoral promise on effective national security, Tinubu has taken some significant actions aimed at rejigging Nigeria’s security architecture. Here they are, together with some security issues that have already marred his short stay in office.
Appointment of Security Czars and Defence Ministers
One of President Tinubu’s notable steps towards addressing Nigeria’s security issues was the sacking and subsequent swearing-in of battle-tested military officers as service chiefs and police chiefs to inject renewed energy into the security forces.
This move was well-received by Nigerians as it reflected a commitment to restoring inclusivity in leadership.
The new service chiefs swiftly opted in to tackle terrorism, banditry, criminal activities, and oil thefts. Several criminals have been killed, many arrested while civilians in hostages have also been freed, in the last three months.
This shift in leadership at the security apparatus injected a renewed sense of determination into the fight against insecurity.
President Tinubu’s further assemble his cabinet, swearing-in the Ministers of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, former Jigawa state governor and Ex-Governor Bello Mattawalle from Zamfara State, a security-prone areas as a senior and Junior ministers respectively.
This move underscored his commitment to engage experienced individuals to navigate complex security dynamics.
Some few days after assuming their offices, the Ministers convened a security meeting with the service chiefs, mounting pressure for a timeline for ending insecurity across the country and delivering tangible results within a year.
Tinubu’s Role in ECOWAS’s Tango with Niger
The West African region has been no stranger to political instability and coups throughout its history. In recent times, the coup in Niger has once again highlighted the need for strong regional leadership and cooperation to address such challenges.
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Tinubu, the current Chair of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), quickly condemned the coup in Niger and called for the restoration of democracy.
The coup in Niger, as pundits say, threatened to destabilize the already fragile political landscape in West Africa thereby creating a power vacuum in the country. Such situations can have far-reaching consequences for the region, including potential political unrest, humanitarian crises, and economic instability particularly in Nigeria as the close neighbor to Niger.
The Niger and recent Gabon coup is the latest in a series of coups in West Africa and Africa, in recent years. In 2021, there were coups in Mali, Guinea, Sudan and Burkina Faso. Tinubu’s condemnation of the coup is a sign that ECOWAS is taking a tough stance against military takeovers in the region.
While receiving the Nigeria Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, at the State House, President Tinubu said all diplomatic options will be exhausted with the military junta in Niger Republic before any last resort of military intervention comes into the picture, insisting that any forceful removal of a democratic government remains “wholly unacceptable.”
Escalating Violence and Lingering Security Challenges
While President Tinubu’s administration demonstrated a commitment to tackling security issues head-on, the narrative is far from unblemished. His tenure so far has not been without its share of challenges.
The once-peaceful regions of the country have experienced an alarming escalation of violence, driven by clashes between armed groups. The resultant loss of innocent lives and the pervasive atmosphere of fear have raised doubts about the efficacy of the strategies implemented to restore peace.
From the persistent menace of banditry in states like Zamfara, Kaduna, and Niger to the ongoing battle against separatist forces such as the IPOB militia, and the ever-looming threats posed by Boko Haram and ISWAP in the Northeast, the security apparatus is stretched thin.
The once-peaceful regions have become hotbeds of bloodshed and sorrow, with escalating violence stemming from clashes between armed groups. Innocent lives have been lost, and communities live in constant fear. The persistence of these conflicts raises questions about the effectiveness of the strategies employed to restore peace and stability.
The clashes between farmers and herders have been a long-standing problem in Nigeria. In recent months, the clashes have become more violent, with dozens of people killed.
Also, the terrorist group, Boko Haram/ISWAP remains visible in Nigeria, and there have been a number of attacks in recent months on civilians and the military.
Navigating Complexity of Insecurity
As Nigerians reflect on President Tinubu’s first 100 days in office, it becomes clear that his administration faces a daunting task. The multifaceted security challenges, and the journey towards achieving lasting stability remains a complex and daunting one.
Also, balancing regional responsibilities with internal security imperatives demands careful calibration and effective coordination among security agencies.
On the occasion of his first 100 days in office, Nigerians hope to see President Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda start yielding good results, particularly in the area of security.
