Boko Haram: Security agencies groping in the dark

The attack on the police headquarters by a militant Islamic group, Boko Haram, is not only a pointer to the poor intelligence gathering in the country, but also other gross inadequacies in various security agencies, ADELANI ADEPEGBA writes.

It may sound harsh and perhaps ironic, but the Boko Haram attacks may be the shot in the arm Nigerian security agencies need to be more proactive and effective.

The lesson of the June 16 assault on the Force Headquarters by a man suspected to be a member of the radical Islamic group may go a long way in waking the security agencies from their slumber.

The ambivalence attitude of the security personnel to issues of security and public protection was further exposed by the group’s assault which police authority would likely see as a daring challenge to its power and competence. The smoke of the explosion had since cleared, but not the confusion that befuddled the minds of the police leadership over the surprise attack.

For a long time, the security apparatus in the country had been anything, but effective. Successive governments had shown little concern because officials, who are guarded by detachment of security personnel believe they are secure. To compound the nation’s security woes, managers of the security agencies possess average competence. There was inadequate focus on manpower development, capacity training, personnel motivation, professional ability and career growth of the rank and file. The rot in the system had become monumental with its concomitant negative effect on corps discipline.

Security experts had observed the lack of synergy between the security agencies and the absence of intelligence-sharing which was necessary for an effective security strategy. A former Security Adviser to the Rivers State Government, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, had in the aftermath of the October 1, 2010 twin blasts warned that Nigeria would experience more bombings if nothing was done to re-invigorate the security system. It turned out that he was spot-on with his evaluation.

Sara-Igbe had also called for a probe into the complicity of security agencies in the incidences of explosions in the country, describing them as terrorist acts which could not have succeeded without the support and connivance of some security agents.

Sara-Igbe argued that most terrorist actions were politically-motivated, adding that their success depended largely on the cooperation and support from security agents and persons in high positions of authority who are supposed to protect the perpetrators.

To combat the problem, he called for the setting up of a counter-terrorist unit and the use of advanced technologies, noting that this would to a large extent reduce the activities of criminals.

“The CTU should be well-funded and filled with well-trained personnel versed in intelligence, forensics, and counter-terrorism measures,” stressing that government needed to do everything in its power to deter acts aimed at intimidating the people and taking power by unconstitutional means.

Sara-Igbe said, “Government should take steps to ensure that those behind the terrorist act are thoroughly investigated and punished in accordance with the global laws on terrorism, no matter how highly placed.

“Most terrorist acts across the world are politically-motivated and their success depends largely on the cooperation and support they have from security agents and persons in high places. Government should urgently investigate the roles of the security agents and other functionaries irrespective of their closeness to the corridors of power.”

Sara-Igbe’s assertion may not be misplaced as investigators suspect internal connivance in the blast which rocked the police headquarters.

The inability of law enforcement personnel to end bomb blasts which is becoming more frequent, has highlighted the need for a more effective collaboration among the security agencies.

The soldiers, who have been drafted in to solve the insecurity challenges in the country, have promised to unveil a strategy to tackle the Boko Haram sect, which seems to have defied police strategies. Though it admitted that the group’s strategy was novel, the military vowed to tackle the seeming invincibility of the militant religious group.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, on Monday promised improved security in the country. “Nigerian Army has studied the method of operation (in collaboration with other security agents), very soon the country will notice improvement and new security agreements,” he said.

The COAS said the presence of soldiers at strategic places in the Federal Capital Territory since last Thursday was part of the emerging strategies to enforce and maintain security in the current atmosphere of terrorism caused by the spate of bombings across the country.

He advised FCT residents to brace up for the unintended inconveniences being created by the recent joint security stop-and-search checks led by the Army, which effectively takes the task of securing lives and property in the capital from the Nigerian Police Force.

“The enforcement of security at the hands of soldiers on vehicles is because they are being proactive, while there will be searches on the road. Nigerians should be able to adapt to the temporary security measures,” he said.

Ihejirika noted that one key item of the new security measures would be a closed door meeting where general officers commanding would receive briefing on how to confront the menace of Boko Haram once and for all.

He emphasised that the purpose of the conference was to take stock of the first and second quarter activities especially in the areas of security responsibilities in various commands. According to him, the meeting will also discuss ways of improving elections and analysis of areas of improvement.

The Chief of Policy and Plans, Maj-Gen O. Akinyemi, noted that the current security challenges, especially the problem of Boko Haram in some parts of the country, was one of the contemporary challenges that needed to be immediately addressed.

Akinyemi said that deliberations would come up with recommendations and strategies towards addressing the identified challenges.

“Some lessons must have been learnt which could assist the Army to improve in possible future internal security tasks,” he said.

Speaking at a forum organised by Justice for All and the CLEEN Foundation in Abuja on Monday, a security expert, Val Okenwa, observed that security agencies needed to build their intelligence capacities and deploy proactive strategies in tandem with the challenges of the time.

According to him, inter-service collaboration is important and without this, the war against criminality or terrorism cannot be won.

Indeed, the claim by Boko Haram that it had brought in over 100 suicide bombers from Somalia should not be dismissed. This places a burden of responsibility on the Nigerian Immigration Service. It should step up its border area operations by stringently screening visitors and checking the influx of immigrants into the country.

The challenging security situation in the country is not a lost battle yet. All it requires is the support of government and for the law enforcement officers to muster the necessary will to apprehend and prosecute criminals without fear or favour.

Lack of diligent prosecution of Boko Haram suspects had encouraged and emboldened them to carry out bloodier attacks. Experts believe that the war against anti-social elements can only be won when taken seriously.

“The government needs not wait till the Presidential Villa is bombed before bringing to book the radical group seeking to undermine national security and unity,” a security analyst said.