Counter-Terrorism : Leveraging Inter-agency Collaboration and Intelligence Gathering

Counter-Terrorism : Leveraging Inter-agency Collaboration and Intelligence Gathering

By MUKHTAR Ya’u Madobi

Intelligence gathering and information sharing have continued to remain veritable and powerful weapons in enhancing national security globally.

On Friday, November 3rd, a joint security force comprising personnel of the Nigerian Army and the Department of State Service, DSS, averted what could have been a tragedy of frightening magnitude in Kano State.

Reports indicated that following actionable intelligence, Nigerian security forces were able to bust a Boko Haram syndicate in Gezawa Local Government Area while scheming plans to launch an attack on Kano communities.

They also apprehended some terrorists. Not only that, dangerous weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the terrorists cell.

Five AK 47 rifles with magazines, one rocket-propelled gun, five RPG bombs, six hand grenades, five pairs of desert camouflage uniforms, 10 pairs of magazine pouches, and some improvised explosive device materials were recovered from the terrorists. A   statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, revealed that.

The statement read, “Joint troops of the Nigerian Army and the Department of State Services have successfully averted an imminent attack on Kano by insurgents. In a dawn raid operation carried out on the terrorists’ hideout in the early hours of today Friday 3 November 2023, troops of 3 Brigade Nigerian Army in close cooperation with the Department of State Services conducted a well-coordinated raid operation in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State.

It is good to note that the successful execution of the operation showed the robust and healthy relationship existing between the two agencies who are formidable pillars of Nigeria’s security architecture.

However, our security forces can do even much better when the citizens complement their efforts by supplying credible information on the activities of criminal elements thereby leading to their decimation.

“The interagency cooperation between the Nigerian Army and other security agencies as exemplified in the conduct of this operation, is a testament to the strength of our collective resolve to defeat insurgency and other security challenges.

“We entreat members of the public to be vigilant and collaborate with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies by providing timely and credible information that could aid in the ongoing operations to curb insecurity, ” the statement added.

Meanwhile, criminal elements have over the years continued to trouble many territories across the lengths and breadths of Nigeria thereby wreaking havocs on law abiding citizens.

Notwithstanding, the onslaught against these terrorists by the combined efforts of AFN including the Army, Air Force, Navy and other security forces as well as the coordination of intelligence services by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) has over the months exposed the weaknesses in the criminals’ camps as they are being decimated while their hideouts are equally destroyed on a regular basis.

Recently, troops of the Nigerian Military have raided several enclaves of terrorists in Kaduna, Zamfara and Katsina States among others.

These ongoing operations are part of the efforts of the Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, General Christopher Gwabin Musa to rid Nigeria out of its quagmire occasioned by the lingering security challenges.

Nevertheless, the military should sustain this onslaught while at the same time develop novel strategies aimed at containing the rampaging activities of these monstrous criminals.

MUKHTAR is the author of a book on “National Security Strategy” and is a staff writer with the Emergency Digest.