Rallying Veterans Against Insecurity

As the wind of insecurity rips across some parts of the country, with criminal elements taking possession of many ungoverned spaces found in the nation’s many forests, not many are convinced that all options in reining in the menace posed by these bloodthirsty monsters and criminals have been exhausted. With the rising scale of insecurity in some parts that is targeted at making life “short and brutish”, the nation is gradually being portrayed as incapable of standing up for its sovereignty.

Sadly, as Nigeria continues to deepen collaboration with foreign countries like the United States of America to eliminate security threats, some Nigerians have condemned the recent airstrike in Sokoto state to eliminate terror groups. The debate that accompanied the US airstrike reveals the deep cracks in arriving at a national consensus in salvaging Nigeria from the fray it has entrapped itself in.  When, during this week, I listened to Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi) condemning the US airstrike as it amounted to a threat to the country’s sovereignty, I wondered what form of sovereignty he was talking about.

In Disunited Tunes

Who is the chief defender of Nigeria’s sovereignty? Is it the National Assembly that is supposed to be the representatives of the people but has abandoned the electorate? For all intents and purposes, since the airstrike was at the request of Nigeria, which other body, including the National Assembly, has the right to oppose the US airstrike? Of course, the law is clear on the roles of both the legislature and executive in such a situation, but what are the chances that such a planned airstrike would not have been leaked out to enable the targeted terrorists to escape? Even after the strike, some Nigerians demanded the corpses of the terrorists killed. Such reactions have continued to portray the country as a house divided against itself in resolving the spate of insecurity.

I have consistently maintained that the war against terror cannot be won in the air but on the ground. Crucial to the defence of the country’s sovereignty is the urgent need to evolve a security architecture that takes out the fire from terror gangs and empowers communities to participate in protecting their lives and property. The tragedy of the terror war in Nigeria is not in the absence of solutions, but the refusal by critical stakeholders, including the National Assembly, to collaborate with the executive arm in chasing away these monsters of insecurity. As long as the entire country is not safe, then no part is safe. Sadly, those expected to ensure peace and development for their constituents have conveniently abdicated their responsibilities and are now besotted with the pursuit of their comeback bids in 2027.

Another Ray Of Hope?

A brighter ray of hope in tackling insecurity in the country recently appeared on the horizon last Tuesday when the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd) inaugurated an 18-man membership committee on ‘Reclaiming Ungoverned Spaces for Economic Viability and the Repositioning of the Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaires and Veterans’. The minister described the effort as “part of a renewed effort to strengthen Veterans welfare and ensure active participation of military veterans in strengthening national security”.

Represented by the permanent secretary of the ministry, Mr. Richard Pheelangwa, the minister described the Nigeria Legion as a critical institution famed for its sacrifice and patriotism, adding that, “the Legion has continued to play important roles in supporting national security and veterans affairs, and that evolving socio-economic realities make it imperative to reform and reposition the corps for greater relevance and sustainability. The 18-man panel was further informed that the repositioning is part of a broader government commitment to ensure that veterans who have served the nation with honour are not left behind but are empowered to live dignified and productive lives after service, describing the initiative as a deliberate and strategic policy intervention designed to address long-standing structural and operational challenges that have limited the contribution of the defence community to national development”.

The Terms of Reference of the committee include the repositioning of the veteran community for economic development; deploying veterans to secure ungoverned spaces for effective supervision, development, and repositioning “the Nigerian Legion Corps to strengthen operational effectiveness, facilitate veterans’ reintegration, and promote their contribution to national security”.

Clearance Operations

To address insecurity and the various forms of crime that have found safety in ungoverned spaces, the government should deploy community safety guides, engaging retired military personnel who are found in various parts of this country. Despite the commendable efforts by the government to tackle insecurity, some of the far-flung communities near ungoverned spaces are becoming worse off, as they are subjected to being victims of abductions and other forms of indignities that are horrendous to the ears.

As the drumbeats of 2027 grow louder in the months ahead, deploying insecurity as campaign material could prove a lethal option. What stands against insecurity in some parts of Nigeria is the prayer of the common man to survive the dread of the times. With the absence of adequate boots on the ground, these ungoverned spaces have been turned into theatres where terror plots are being hatched. Nearly two weeks after the abductions of the Kurmin Wali Christian worshippers in Chikun, Kaduna State, other abductions in the same local government area within the week predict what lies ahead in the future.

What Nigeria needs now is for all critical stakeholders in the Nigerian project to engage armed bodies like military veterans to clear these unwanted terror groups occupying the nation’s ungoverned spaces. It’s not enough for the military to embark on a clearance operation and, thereafter, leave these spaces for the terrorists to reoccupy.