Prominent security experts and former military leaders have issued a strong call for a comprehensive and proactive national strategy to decisively tackle Nigeria's multifaceted security challenges. This urgent appeal was made during the 18th International Security Conference organized by the Institute of Security, Nigeria (ISN).
A Multi-Faceted Crisis Demands a Holistic Response
The conference chairman, Dr. Ade Abolurin, the former Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), set the tone by outlining the severe impact of ongoing threats. He identified terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and cybercrime as major forces undermining the nation's economic development, social stability, and national cohesion. While acknowledging past efforts, Dr. Abolurin stressed that more must be done to confront the foundational issues fueling violence.
He emphasized that a lasting solution requires moving beyond reactive measures. "We must adopt a holistic approach that addresses the root causes by investing in education, job creation, and economic development, particularly in rural areas," he stated. This perspective highlights poverty, unemployment, and marginalisation as critical drivers of insecurity that need targeted intervention.
Expert Recommendations: Tech, Decentralisation, and Merit
Former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai (Rtd), speaking on the theme 'Expanding Frontiers of Innovation and Security Enhancement for Nation-Building in Nigeria', described the task as monumental but achievable. He argued that enhancing security through innovation is vital for nation-building and depends on strong leadership, clear strategy, and collaboration.
Buratai presented a significant constitutional proposal, advising the National Assembly to consider amending the 1999 Constitution to decentralise security management. "Empowering states and local governments, as well as establishing specialist, merit-based counter-intelligence departments, is crucial," he noted.
Echoing the need for innovation, former Minister of External Affairs, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, urged Nigeria to prioritise strategic thinking and leverage technology. He specifically pointed to its potential for improving intelligence gathering, enabling early warning systems, and promoting effective community policing.
Clarifications and Root Cause Analysis
During a panel session, retired Army General, Lieutenant General Lamidi Adeosun, directly addressed a widespread allegation affecting military morale. He firmly disputed claims that the Nigerian Army was recruiting repentant Boko Haram members into its ranks, citing this narrative as damaging and false. "No structural consideration of repentant Boko Haram being recruited directly into the Nigerian Army. Our security problem is homegrown," Adeosun clarified.
Other contributors provided deeper analysis into the sources of insecurity. Security consultant Darlington Momoh shifted focus to the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, arguing that curtailing their flow into the country would severely limit terrorists' capabilities. From an academic standpoint, Professor Tunde Babawale of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) lamented a gap between talent and leadership, calling for a merit-driven recruitment process in intelligence agencies. "Nigeria has the best hands in the military but the worst decision-makers," he observed.
In his closing remarks, the President of ISN, Professor Dele Olowokudejo, reinforced the conference's consensus. He stated that the time for a lasting solution is now, and it must involve innovative approaches driven by scientific and technological advancement. The collective message from the conference is clear: defeating Nigeria's security threats requires a unified, intelligent, and root-cause-focused strategy that integrates technology, good governance, and economic empowerment.
