Advancing Societal Approach to Fighting Insecurity

Advancing Societal Approach to Fighting Insecurity

By Mahmud Abdulsalam

There are various strategies the Nigerian government and the military, together with sister security and intelligence agencies are deploying to tackle lingering insecurity.

The military, essentially, has launched countless combat exercises and Operations to battle Boko Haram and the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists in the North East.

Other Operations such as Awatse, Thunder Strike, and Whirl Stroke, among others were launched to deal with sea pirates, armed bandits, cultists, and kidnappers, among several other criminals.

The Nigerian Military, with the support of the Defence Industry Corporation (DICON) has equally embarked on locally-developing and production of several military hardware, as part of boosting the nation’s Defence capacity.

In order to equip and fortify our armed troops against insurgents and armed groups, the leadership of the Nigerian Armed Forces, in particular, has, in recent years, increased its expenditure with regards to arms purchase of great sophistication.

To boost the counter-insurgency operation of troops in the North East, we have what is called the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).

A local security network comprising youths volunteering as vigilantes, and working in concert with military troops, CJTF members, have bolstered the fight against terror in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States.

The fact that insecurity is still rife across the country stresses the need for other security agencies to redesign their combat strategies.

This time around, it may not be a bad idea, totally, for them to mobilize Nigerians, whose support may be invaluable in tackling security threats.

The Nigerian military, already, is advancing a new approach to foster national security. According to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) is advancing the ‘whole of society’ approach towards addressing national security.

The CDS recently disclosed this at a 2-day Youth and Security Summit themed, “Building Trust for an Improved Security Response in Nigeria,” organized by Abuja Global Shapers Community (AGSC) in collaboration with Defence Headquarters.

Gen Irabor who was the Special Guest of honour at the event, said, for the AFN to sustain progress as part of the larger architecture addressing security challenges, the military is currently advancing the whole-of-society approach as a means of solving these challenges.

According to him, Nigerian youths are segment of the population which could play a pivotal role in advancing the course of national security.

The Defence Chief commended AGSC for organizing the summit which seeks to engage the Nigerian youths on issues of national security as well as other intervention targeting the youths to be more focused in building the society.

The CDS described the collaborative venture between the AFN and AGSC as enlightening the participants in order to better understand the roles and responsibilities of the military in surmounting internal and external threats as well as protection of lives and property.

In his words, “engaging the youths is practically making them to become part and parcel of the fabric of stability of the society towards enhancing national security.”

Gen Irabor further identified freedom from dangers and threats to nation’s ability to defend and develop, promote its core values, and legitimate interests as well as enhanced wellbeing of its citizens as component of national security.

The AGS Hub Curator, Mr Umar Abdulmalik, in his welcome address, said the summit was series of programmes being conducted by AGSC aimed at engaging the youths on security conversations through collaboration with security agencies.

According to him, AGSC is at the forefront of this security conversion and initiatives as a result of the evolving security challenges facing the nation.

The Youth and Security Summit was attended by senior officers from the military, security agencies and paramilitary organizations. The Minister of Interior was represented at the event.

Mahmud Abdulsalam is an Assistant Editor PRNigeria