Nigeria’s Military Assumes Police Role Amid Rising Insecurity

Dr. Steve Okwori, a security consultant, has expressed significant concern over Nigeria’s escalating insecurity, suggesting that the military has effectively taken over the police’s constitutional duties. This development comes as incidents of terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping continue to rise across the nation, particularly in states like Kogi.

In an interview with ARISE News on March 11, 2024, Okwori emphasized that the Nigerian government must move beyond mere rhetoric regarding security issues. “It’s high time that we go beyond the reading of speeches when it has to do with security issues. We need to see the practical aspect of it,” he stated. The analyst noted that citizens are increasingly demanding decisive action from both the government and security agencies as violent acts become a daily occurrence.

Okwori highlighted that the internal security situation has deteriorated significantly due to the prevalence of banditry and kidnapping for ransom. “Nigerians are kidnapped almost on a daily basis, ransom being paid and all that,” he remarked. He called for more effective efforts from the security forces, comparing the public’s demands to that of Oliver Twist, who famously asked for more.

While acknowledging some recent successes by security forces, particularly joint operations between the police and military in Kogi State, Okwori pointed out that these measures should have been implemented much earlier. With the Nigeria Police Force approaching its 96th anniversary since its establishment in 1930, he criticized the lack of expected initiatives from the police. “Inasmuch as we know they are faced with inadequacies, these challenges are not new,” he added, mentioning issues like equipment shortages and lack of training.

The security consultant described recent aerial operations involving helicopters and fighter aircraft as commendable but long overdue. “Such operations should not be treated as exceptional achievements,” he asserted, stressing that the police must take a more active role in combating crime. He noted that the increasing reliance on military forces for internal security has blurred the lines of responsibility between the police and military.

“The military have taken over the responsibility of the police when it comes to internal crime,” Okwori stated. He cited the response to the schoolgirls’ abduction in Kebbi, where the Chief of Army Staff arrived first at the scene, undermining the authority of the Inspector-General of Police, who is tasked with handling internal security issues. “Even if the IGP was outside the country, there are senior officers who should have represented him,” he said.

Okwori urged the police to reclaim their leadership role in internal security and leverage capabilities that many Nigerians may not be aware exist. “The police have an air wing. We need more of this intervention,” he said, underscoring the necessity for proactive measures from the lead agency in charge of internal security.

In discussing the broader context of terrorism, Okwori warned that Nigeria resides in one of the world’s most dangerous regions for extremist violence. His research into terrorism in the Sahel, focusing on countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria, revealed that these nations rank among the most affected globally. He expressed concern about the exit of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), explaining that this could undermine regional counter-terrorism collaboration.

“Terrorism is not fought by one country. We need collaboration,” Okwori stated, urging ECOWAS to find ways to reintegrate these nations to strengthen collective security efforts. He also identified the financing of terrorism as a critical challenge, noting the difficulty in tracking illicit funds. “When it comes to terrorism funding, it is difficult to track,” he explained, advocating for specialized training to combat this issue.

Okwori raised questions about the accountability of companies previously linked to financing terrorism, citing a lack of follow-up on investigations involving firms connected to Dubai. “What happened to those companies? We have not heard anything,” he remarked, illustrating the gaps in oversight.

He concluded by emphasizing that kidnapping for ransom has emerged as a major source of funding for terrorism, complicating the security landscape further. “Monies collected from Nigerians through kidnapping are also used to finance terrorism,” he said, adding that the cash nature of these transactions makes them challenging to monitor.

Without sustained action and improved intelligence capabilities, Okwori warned that Nigeria’s security challenges will only continue to deepen, leaving citizens in a state of heightened fear and vulnerability.