Why Nigeria is facing major security threats – Gadzama

Mr. Afakriya A. Gadzama was the Director-General of the State Security Service during late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua’s presidency, appointed in August 2007, serving till 2010. He began his career in 1978, with the Ministry of Finance in Borno State, and was transferred to the National Security Organization (NSO) as a Principal Officer in 1984, […]

Mr. Afakriya A. Gadzama was the Director-General of the State Security Service during late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua’s presidency, appointed in August 2007, serving till 2010. He began his career in 1978, with the Ministry of Finance in Borno State, and was transferred to the National Security Organization (NSO) as a Principal Officer in 1984, where he rose through the ranks, and those of the subsequent State Security Service which was carved out of the NSO when it was dissolved. In the following interview, he speaks on the security situation in the country, measures that should be taken to avert catastrophe, the ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the North-East, the incursion of the Islamic State (IS) into Nigeria, and the upcoming 2019 elections, among others. Herewith, are excerpts:

 

Daily Trust: We’re facing many security threats at the moment. Which would you single out as the biggest?

A.A Gadzama: There are, unfortunately, a wide range of security problems facing the country at the moment. The most prominent include the insurgency in the North-East, attacks across the nation, kidnappings, and killings. No less worrisome, are the piracy and wide range of criminality that is prevalent in the Niger Delta. These, unfortunately, are compounded by new forms of unconventional threats to security, as exemplified by the activities of armed bandits and proliferation of dangerous weapons. It will be recalled that the security community recently alerted on the stockpiling of dangerous weapons across the country. In addition, there is avoidable tension being created by unguided politically motivated hate speech by politicians. These, cumulatively, will give you a picture of the security situation in the country.

There are some predisposing factors that impel insecurity. These have to be understood and appreciated if the current security challenges are to be effectively dealt with. Fundamentally, sixty percent of security challenges in the country are the result of failed expectations, injustice, and insensitivity of the elites to the plight of the citizenry. These are consequences of declining quality of governance and leadership. We have found ourselves where governance and leadership is majorly about self-interest. We cannot say with all honesty that the majority of those elected to represent the people in recent years are representing the interests of the electorate. The other reason that seems to be responsible for some of the security threats is the declining sense of patriotism of elected officials at all levels. These cumulatively affect the capacity to deliver the dividends of democracy and meeting the expectations of the citizenry.

In effect, the result of pent-up resentment that lead to the drift into criminality and extremism is a major reason for the current security situation in the country. These also are better understood when appreciated against the backdrop of decline in the capacity and effectiveness of the security system. The plain truth is that the security architecture and organizations do not have what it takes to decisively deal with some of the current security threats. The armed forces and security services, as repeatedly pointed out, don’t have the manpower and capabilities to effectively tackle some of the threats. I do not have any doubt that the armed forces, the police and the other security forces can effectively and promptly eliminate the problems of insurgency, armed banditry and attacks by armed groups if they are equipped with drones, helicopter gunships and surveillance capabilities.

DT: You’ve mentioned in the past about how the quality of governance and representation is the source of insecurity, particularly in the North. Can you explain further?

Gadzama: It wouldn’t take a genius to see that the North is the most affected by poor governance. Let’s also not forget that it is the poorest part of the country, at least in terms of industries that could employ people, level of political awareness and holding those elected to account for their stewardship. I will just give you some examples: The first is the collapse of the Local Government Councils in the country. Facts have emerged recently to show that the councils only exist in name in most states in the North. Their monthly statutory allocations are brazenly diverted, thereby denying the citizenry the most basic necessities of life. The outright mismanagement of monthly allocations to local government councils and states has, without doubt, aggravated the level of poverty in the region. It is alleged that even the Ecological Funds usually disbursed to states are not utilized for the purposes intended. The other yardstick to measure the absence of good governance is the quality of representation and their ability to attract development to their constituencies.

Worse still, is the deceit about constituency projects, many of which are nowhere to be found. While legislators in other parts of the country are busy commissioning constituency projects undertaken, nothing seems to be happening in most Northern states. To compound the situation, in a recent research work, the gap between the North and other parts of the country, using indices of provision of educational institutions, health institutions, employment opportunities, social investment and accountability, have increased in the last ten years. The security implication, unless something is urgently done, is that the North in the next few years will be a hotbed of all forms of criminality.

The other sad observation in the research is that young men from the North now constitute the largest number of tricycle riders, sellers of water, and those engaged in the most menial jobs in South-West, South-South, and South-East states. This is suggestive of the increasing disparity between parts of the country. I hope this clarifies the relationship between poor governance, effects on the people, and susceptibility to indoctrination.

DT: How do these affect security?

Gadzama: What do you think fueled the insurgency in the North East? It was simply the insensitivity of those in the position of leadership to do something about the plight of the masses, and the virtual absence and minimal impact of governance on the lives of the people. The absence of justice and manipulation of religious sentiments without doubt also contributed to creating the monster. Let me put it to you more bluntly: The North in the last couple of years has become, not only the victim of elite insensitivity and betrayal of its people, but the target of orchestrated manipulation by retrogressive forces, thereby transforming the region into a huge killing field. To worsen it, the disparity between the North and the South in terms of job opportunities, access to social services, and inclusiveness in governance, is widening daily.

DT: Speaking of insurgency, what is your assessment of the ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the North-East?

Gadzama: There are certain things I would obviously not comment on in the open. But let me say again, that President Muhammadu Buhari has done well in providing leadership necessary for degrading and stopping the insurgency on many fronts. The security forces should equally be commended for bringing the insurgents to near standstill. It cannot however be denied that the counter-terrorism operations have suffered avoidable setbacks in the last three months. Some towns and military formations have been overrun. The security forces need to re-strategize to stop the resurgence of the insurgents.

As I have previously maintained, all that is required for the insurgency to be defeated is, re-equipping the security forces with appropriate counter-terrorism fighting capabilities, precisely, better weapons, and tech like drones, helicopter gunships, and even increased manpower. There is also the need to appreciate the fact that insurgency is propelled by ideology. The counter-terrorism operations must therefore be complemented with a well-structured de-radicalization plan. Those benefiting from the insurgency must also be identified, and dealt with. Let me also assure you that the appropriate authorities are reviewing recent developments in relation to the counter-insurgency operations.

DT: It’s been echoing in some quarters that there is an incursion of the Islamic State (IS) into Nigeria?

Gadzama: The reported incursion of IS is just a confirmation of what has been in the offing in the last couple of years. You will recall that since the group infiltrated some West African countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, coupled with developments in some Sahelian countries, especially Libya, its ultimate target was Nigeria. You should not also forget that IS is working closely with a faction of Boko Haram. All these have some bearing on the resurgence of the activities of the insurgents in the recent months. But the most disturbing development that is likely to have profound influence on the insurgency in the country is the reported pulling out of United States soldiers from Syria and Mali. Unless this vacuum is filled, the development will result in heightened terrorist attacks and expansion of the group’s influence in West Africa.

DT: Fears have been expressed in some quarters and by some personnel recently that the DSS has been thrown out of equilibrium as the result of change of guard and interferences. What do you have to say on that?

Gadzama: Let me say that what happened in the DSS in recent months is not unusual with security organizations. The consolation is that the service is in capable hands under the leadership of the current Director-General. He has been privy to all significant developments in the service in the last couple of years and is a professional. Equally important is the fact that he enjoys the support of all the personnel serving and retired. I believe President Buhari made a good choice in appointing him. The same applies to the National Security Adviser (NSA) retired Maj-Gen. Babagana Monguno, who is the man at the top of the national security system, with whom he is expected to work closely. Nothing should be done to undermine the two offices, as they are the nerve centre of the national security system.

DT: What will you advise on the situation in Zamfara State, the continued killings, and spates of kidnappings around the country?

Gadzama: Permit me to start with the situation in Zamfara State. It is unfortunate that the situation was allowed to degenerate to its current level. The government and the security forces should have learnt from similar situations in parts of the country. Operationally, the strength of the security forces need to be doubled. More crimefighting platforms also need to be deployed. The fact should also be noted that, the situation in Zamfara is suggestive of something much more complex and sinister. The attacks are definitely the consequence of bad governance, politics, and entities operating under the cover of banditry. Everything must be done to stop the situation from spreading into neighbouring states.

Intelligence agencies must also satisfy themselves that subversive groups are not using the cover of banditry to wreak havoc upon the country. Much is also expected from political leadership in [Zamfara] state.

On the killings, especially the ones in the North-Central, the incidents cannot be divorced from the activities of mercenaries brought into the country. Unless this angle is looked at, the country will never know peace. It is also important that a more lasting peace-building approach should be deployed. Peaceful coexistence is critical at this stage of our national development. Again, very pertinent are problems associated with the capacity of security organizations especially manpower shortage and serious gaps in security configuration.

What is clear, and a factor that seems to have aided the situation, is inadequacy of security in most parts of the state. As regards the spates of kidnappings across the country, the security forces, especially the Inspector General and state security service response teams, should be commended for being on top of the challenge. I believe their effectiveness could be enhanced by acquiring more signal interceptors, surveillance and monitoring gadgets. As previously observed, the incidence of kidnapping are similarly made possible by inadequacy of security personnel, lack of capabilities, and absence of good governance that caters for the interest of all.

DT: You have also expressed fears that there could be grand plans to orchestrate crisis in the North. Why do you believe so?

Gadzama: Look at it this way: Who, and what, are responsible for the intermittent ethno-religious flare-ups in states in the North? Who are those behind the manipulation of religious sentiments to create conflicts in the North? And finally, why is there no political unity in the North as in other parts of the country? It will be sheer deception to think these are mere coincidences or happenstance. It will not require a magician to tell you why the North is losing relevance in the scheme of things in the country. The simple fact is outsiders are exploiting fault lines to divide the region.

The religious crises, marginalization, and lack of support for our leaders, are machinations of outsiders with the active connivance of selfish Northerners who have not imbibed the virtues and values cherished by our founding fathers.

DT: What are your thoughts on the upcoming 2019 polls, security-wise?

Gadzama: I don’t fear anything in relation to the 2019 elections. There will definitely be challenges, but they are surmountable. President Buhari has already given assurances of free and fair elections. The only thing required is for all stakeholders to key into that resolve. The Independent National Electoral Commission, and the security organizations must, in particular, redeem their battered images in the wake of the 2015 misadventure. The states to be closely monitored during and after the elections, nevertheless, are Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa, Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna and Benue. Others are Borno, Adamawa, Ogun and Kwara. Nasarawa State could also be dicey. We must, finally, be reminded that the 2019 election is not just an ordinary one. It is about either descent into darkness, or electing hope and betterment.