By Otunba Ade Adeshina.
To address the persistent threats to life and property in Nigeria, it is essential to adopt a bold, centralized approach to security funding and resource management. The current system, which allocates substantial security budgets to state governments, has failed to yield the desired results. This agreement outlines a transformative strategy, drawing inspiration from global best practices, to ensure the eradication of terrorism, kidnapping, and other violent crimes in Nigeria.
1. Centralized Security Funding and Management
• Issue: Security budgets allocated to state governments are often mismanaged or diverted, exacerbating insecurity rather than resolving it.
• Solution: The federal government should centralize the allocation of security funds to ensure transparency, accountability, and efficiency.
• Utilize the yearly security budget to procure critical resources such as fighter jets, helicopters, surveillance drones, and advanced ammunition.
• Establish a national task force comprising security professionals and experts with a mandate to address terrorism and violent crime comprehensively.
2. Procurement of Advanced Military Equipment
• Global Example: Countries like Israel and Turkey have invested heavily in advanced military technology, such as drones and fighter jets, to maintain security and combat terrorism effectively.
• Action for Nigeria:
• Procure jets, helicopters, and other modern equipment to strengthen Nigeria’s armed forces.
• Develop a strategic airstrike capability to target terrorist enclaves and disrupt their operations.
• Establish a national command center equipped with advanced surveillance and communication tools to coordinate security efforts.
3. Recruitment and Training of Security Professionals
• Global Example: The United States and United Kingdom have elite forces like the Navy SEALs and SAS, trained to handle high-stakes counterterrorism operations.
• Action for Nigeria:
• Engage military experts and trainers from countries with a proven track record of combating terrorism to build capacity in Nigeria’s security forces.
• Create specialized units within the military and police forces to focus on counterterrorism, hostage rescue, and intelligence gathering.
4. Enhanced Intelligence and Collaboration
• Issue: Inadequate intelligence-sharing and lack of coordination between security agencies contribute to the persistence of terrorism and crime.
• Solution:
• Establish a centralized intelligence agency tasked with monitoring and analyzing security threats.
• Foster collaboration with international security agencies, such as Interpol and the African Union’s Peace and Security Council, to track and neutralize threats effectively.
• Leverage technology, such as artificial intelligence and big data analytics, to predict and prevent security incidents.
5. Community Involvement in Security Measures
• Global Example: Countries like Sweden and Norway prioritize community policing to ensure safety and trust between law enforcement and citizens.
• Action for Nigeria:
• Implement community policing initiatives to build trust and encourage citizens to report suspicious activities.
• Provide incentives for communities to participate in security programs, such as neighborhood watch groups and civilian task forces.
6. Accountability and Transparency
• Issue: Corruption and lack of accountability have hindered the effective use of security budgets in Nigeria.
• Solution:
• Establish an independent oversight body to audit security expenditures and ensure funds are used appropriately.
• Enforce strict penalties for officials found guilty of diverting or mismanaging security resources.
7. Redeployment of Security Allocations
• Recommendation: Stop disbursing security budgets to state governments, as these funds are often misused. Instead:
• Centralize resources under federal control and allocate them directly to national security operations.
• Use the funds to build and maintain critical security infrastructure, such as airbases, military outposts, and surveillance systems.
Expected Outcomes
1. Eradication of Terrorism: Improved equipment and specialized forces will weaken terrorist networks and eliminate their strongholds.
2. Reduced Kidnapping and Violent Crime: Centralized intelligence and proactive intervention will disrupt criminal activities and improve safety.
3. Increased Public Confidence: A transparent and effective security system will restore trust in the government’s ability to protect its citizens.
4. Economic Growth: Improved security will create an environment conducive to investment, trade, and tourism.
Conclusion
Nigeria’s security challenges demand decisive and transformative action. By centralizing security funding, investing in advanced technology, and engaging global expertise, the federal government can eliminate terrorism, kidnapping, and other crimes that plague the nation. It is time for bold leadership to prioritize the safety and well-being of Nigerians, ensuring a secure and prosperous future for all.
Kind regards
Otunba Ade Adeshina
Peace loving Radical Humanist
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Opinion