We need a new security outfit to tackle terrorists in Nigeria – General Olarenwaju

I think what is actually missing in the whole saga is that there is no security commitment by most Nigerians who should be part of the intelligence security set up. If somebody says ‘I feel that I’m not concerned about the security of Nigeria or security of the country,’ he can never know when he […]

I think what is actually missing in the whole saga is that there is no security commitment by most Nigerians who should be part of the intelligence security set up. If somebody says ‘I feel that I’m not concerned about the security of Nigeria or security of the country,’ he can never know when he becomes a victim. Nigerians must be part of the intelligent circle. That is what is helping the advanced world today. When Nigerians are patriotic and loyal to their country, there will be relative peace.

But the security apparatus itself must treat information made available to them as totally confidential. If you go down to the police station and you have information you want to give and you give it, and the questions asked are embarrassing to you, how would you want to go back there?

If you see something that is harmful to the nation, definitely those who planned it did not do it overnight. They must have taken time to do it, and  if there is patriotism in the people, understanding and loyalty to the state, they would have exposed it. What is happening in Nigeria today is insurgent terrorism and can be combated through availability of information. But right now people feel unconcerned about what happens to their neighbours.  Similar things happened in Ibadan where we had a very serious flood. You can see the damage that has been done and many are not concerned. In Europe, if you see the commitment of the people by the way they got  involved in finding solution to problems and disasters,  you will  marvel.  Boko Haram may look like a localized crisis,  but you can see from time to time, some things that began locally later took international dimension. That is the way things develop, but  in this country, people don’t  care initially. It is only when it has taken a national dimension that they begin to tackle them.

In England, for example,  after the  recent riots, we saw parents who went and reported their children to the security authorities for being part of the crime. This is because of patriotism. They believe their nation must be defended, no matter what happens. You can see the value that has developed. We need to develop certain virtues in this country that are acceptable nationwide, devoid of religious, and ethnic sentiments, because those issues, those challenges are natural in life. What happened in Abuja started gradually from Maiduguri, to Bauchi, to Adamawa and to Abuja. It will not stop there. We must begin to study and if probable to spy on  our neighbours to know exactly what  they do. We have to do it so that we can be secured because of the security forces that need information to be able to deal with this kind of situation. Without peace, you cannot make progress. Unfortunately, now,  Nigeria is being featured on the global map of terrorism.  If you look at the bombing of the United Nations building in Abuja, you will realize the need for us to be  proactive about intelligent gathering. What is happening in Libya is a United Nations issue. It is the UN that gave NATO the authority to bomb Libya. I think there is a lot of suspicion about the interference of Libya in this country. My suspicion is that they must have had some sympathizers. Boko Haram could be a generic name for all terrorist groups in this world. They are known as Boko Haram in Nigeria, but they may be known as Taliban elsewhere, and may be known as another name or rioters in any other place.  But, I believe that all of us that have a stake in Nigeria must condemn it and the authorities must be alerted anytime we notice any threat to peace. We must know what our neigbhours  are doing at all times. If we don’t do that then we will be in trouble. I am just looking at the paradigm of Ghaddafi in Nigeria. He once said that the country should be divided into two. I can see how things are now rearing their ugly head. All these militant organizations that are emerging are supposed to be checked.  Also, there must be a limit to freedom of speech, freedom of movement, freedom of occupation. If any of these freedoms infringes on security, we should do something.

In your own opinion, what should be done urgently to avert further destructions in the country?

We need to take a holistic review of our intelligence network and try to look at a new outfit entirely.

We need a new institution that can look at our security, in terms of command and control, in terms of decision-making process, on how these things could be done properly. I remember, there was a time during IBB’s regime, when a National Guard was formed. I was given the responsibility of looking at it and review  what had been prepared by Admiral Koshoni . I went before the Armed Forces Ruling Council to defend it.  We need something like that now. Look at how America is trying to look at its internal security based on the experiences of the September 11, 2001 bombing. Look at what happened in England about the so-called riots and even what is happening in Chechnya. Whether you are talking of religious mafia, business mafia, Islamic and Jewish mafia  or any of them, we have to be proactive and prevent them happening anywhere. We must not say our culture does not allow it. Poverty is a boundary breaker. Somebody who is a quiet person, a very gentle person, because he has not been able to work, can easily be lured into crime. That is the reason why I say there is limit to this issue of freedom of speech and movement. Again, we must look at our neighbours and check to what extend they are affecting  the internal security of our country. Therefore, we must look at our foreign policy objectives and foreign policy mission as they affect our neighbours. Once your neighbours are friendly with you, you can be sure you have peace. Benin Republic, Chad citizens will enter the country through Seme and Borno and they have offices here. We have to study your neighbours, intensified studies. We must know about our neigbours. We must encourage friendship, trade, corporation and understanding so that they can also help to stop incursions which could lead to internal instability of our country. An example is to look at the relationship between the United States and its neigbours. USA and some of if its neighbours, say Mexico, they watch one another. You look at them and establish long time relationship that will usher in stability and understanding amongst them. In that case, you will have peace.  Apart from those you have to deal with outside, you also need an independent security network devoid of tribalism to monitor the internal security. This may not necessarily involve the Police, Navy, Air Force and the Army. The body should be devoid of tribalism. Let’s  get the best personnel to do it.

What do you think is the problem of PDP in Lagos state? Can you compare the chances of PDP in Lagos against the ruling party ACN in the forthcoming elections?

I am not worried about the current situation of PDP in Lagos State.  What is happening is not an unusual thing. I want to relate to what has happened in Britain during the time of Tony Blair. There was a time the Labour party was not heard of for eight to 10 years. Blair, under Labour Party, took over from the conservatives and stayed in power for some time before the conservatives bounced back.

I used this as an analogy to describe what is happening in PDP. The problem the Labour Party had was ideology, which was misunderstood within the party where you had about two platforms within the same party – one old and one new.  At the end, the old one lost out to a new one, with Blair emerging.

I can tell you, frankly, why the PDP has a prolonged battle in Lagos. It is not that the party is bad.  Most of those who have come into PDP have realized that it is not easy in Lagos State, but I can say frankly that  I can see a new horizon building up within the party in Lagos. It is going to be a new ballgame entirely in 2015. By then, all the conflicts within the party are gone and by that time we will have what it takes to face the challenges from other parties. There have been challenges to the leadership of Chief Olabode George.  But I have not seen any alternative to his kind of leadership.  I was one of those opposed to him initially, but I can see that he is not just a tactician, he is a strategist and a thinker. So no opposition can wrestle the power and party away from him. As for ACN, I think it considered itself lucky for presenting Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola. I want people to see the logic in my argument. He is an asset. Let’s give him credit. I can see some seriousness in him. Take Fashola away from ACN,  there will be a very serious void in the party. The best way I can describe him as a governor is that he is a golden fish in the wrong pond.