Between Ogalla’s Spiritual Warfare and the Gunfire Reality By Ibrahim Hassan Hassan
When the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, recently spoke about the spiritual undertones of the country’s security challenges, his remarks did more than raise eyebrows — they invited a necessary introspection.
In a nation long bruised by insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and communal unrest, his call for spiritual sensitivity within the security architecture struck a chord. And yet, it also stirred debate.
In a clime where both citizens and soldiers cling to faith as a coping mechanism, Ogalla’s framing of Nigeria’s insecurity as having a “spiritual dimension” was not just a philosophical observation — it was a mirror held up to society.
He reminded us that there is a place for morality, uprightness, and spiritual resilience in a security strategy that must ultimately be human at its core. His call, as some may argue, was not a retreat into abstraction, but an invitation to fortify the soul behind the uniform.
Let it be said without ambiguity: Vice Admiral Ogalla did not suggest that prayers alone could repel armed assailants or dismantle terror networks. He did not imply that sermons were a substitute for surveillance, or that spiritual insight could replace strategic intelligence.
Rather, his point — albeit steeped in spiritual expression — was that no strategy for national security can succeed without a people-centered, values-driven foundation. But amid this valid perspective lies a cautionary tale.
In a country where victims of violence are often buried without justice, and where whole communities sleep with one eye open, the public’s demand is for visibility and velocity in state response.
The constitutional mandate of the Nigerian Armed Forces is as clear as daylight: defend the territorial integrity of the nation, combat internal insurrection, and aid civil authorities in restoring order.
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These are not metaphysical duties — they are operational imperatives. So, while faith may soothe the wounded soul of the nation, it cannot on its own seal porous borders, trace kidnap syndicates, or intercept arms convoys.
That job belongs to trained personnel, coordinated intelligence units, and a responsive command structure — all of which fall under the leadership of people like Vice Admiral Ogalla.
To his credit, the Naval Chief did not shy away from that reality. His advocacy for a “whole-of-society approach” acknowledges that national security is not solely a uniformed affair.
It is a collective burden — one that rests on government, communities, religious institutions, families, and yes, even spiritual consciousness. It is in this inclusive framing that his message finds strength, not weakness.
What must be avoided, however, is the temptation to use spirituality as a smokescreen for institutional failures. Nigeria’s insecurity is, in many parts, man-made — enabled by years of corruption, poor policing infrastructure, low morale in the ranks, and the slow grind of justice.
These are tangible problems that demand tangible responses. And yet, Ogalla’s perspective offers something refreshing: a call to anchor action in integrity, discipline, and faith in shared humanity.
It is not a retreat from responsibility — if well understood — but a reminder that war is not won by bullets alone. It is won also by belief. Belief in a cause. Belief in duty. Belief in one another.
As such, his words should not be dismissed as hollow spirituality but seen as part of a layered doctrine that balances muscle with morale. For a force to function at its best, it must be both operationally competent and emotionally resilient.
In that delicate balance lies the future of Nigeria’s internal security. The military cannot do it alone — nor can the masses. But together, with discipline in the barracks, justice in the courts, honesty in high places, and yes, faith in the unseen, Nigeria may yet find her way to peace.
Ibrahim Hassan Hassan, a Fellow of PRNigeria, writes from Kano, and can be reached via: [email protected].
