After what seemed like an unending barrage of attacks by insurgents, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements, the Nigerian military has responded robustly by taking the fight to the enemies and recording significant successes.
Recall that, on August 18, President Muhammadu Buhari directed the military and other security agencies to take the fight against Boko Haram insurgents and other non-state armed groups in the North-east to their hideouts and completely eliminate them. The president was speaking in Maiduguri, Borno State, on the occasion of World Humanitarian Day 2022.
He said: “The men and officers of Operation Lafiya Dole, security agencies and the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) are very much appreciated for their commitment to the fight against insurgency. I commend their professionalism and tactical penetration to the hideout of the criminal elements, leading to appreciable improvement of the security situation in this North-east region, without which the resettlement of the IDP’s would not be possible. I, therefore, implore you not to relent in your efforts, continue to take the fight to their hideouts and ensure they are completely eliminated.”
It appears that the military heeded the directive with the kind of effectiveness Nigerians expect of them, following successive high-profile attacks by terrorists and bandits across the country.
On July 6, gunmen carried out a violent jailbreak at the Kuje Correctional Centre in the suburb of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. On that same day, armed men attacked the president’s advance convoy in Katsina. On July 22, gunmen also attacked some officials of the 7 Guards Battalion of the Nigerian Army Presidential Guards Brigade. Three days later, terrorists attacked a community near the Federal Government College, Kwali in the Federal Capital Territory, forcing government to officially shut the school.
These attacks triggered panic mode among Nigerians, especially residents of the federal capital, who feared that a major attack on the country’s capital, which would have a devastating effect, was imminent. However, the recent onslaught of counterattacks by the Nigerian military on terrorists and bandits has calmed frayed nerves and brought about reassurance that the Nigerian military is capable of protecting the citizens from both internal and external aggression.
Between July 16 and August 15 alone, the Nigerian military and other security agents carried out more than 20 successful operations against criminal elements in various parts of the country, including successful air strikes on key terrorists’ enclaves and hideouts in Rudu forest in Katsina state and at Ukambo Village of Kaduna state, killing high-profile terrorist leaders, Alhaji Abdulkareem Lawal and Alhaji Shanono, as well as scores of their underlings.
Military aircraft also struck a terrorist gathering at Kurebe in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, after intelligence revealed that the terrorists had assembled for an important meeting hosted by Aminu Duniya, a Boko Haram terrorist commander. Troops also conducted clearance operations on an identified terrorist enclave in Damba-Galbi axis of Chikun local government area of Kaduna state, killing scores of terrorists.
This recent vigour injected into the fight against criminals and criminality by the military has not gone unnoticed. For instance, while declaring open the 4th edition of the Kaduna Book and Art Festival on September 15, Kaduna state governor, Nasir El-Rufai, alluded to significant improvement in military operations in recent times. “In the last six weeks there has been improved offensive operation against criminals and we are confident if it is sustained, people can drive comfortably without any security or taking of the train to Kaduna,” he said.
Although there are challenges, the operational capability of the Nigerian military has never been in doubt. It is understood that most of the security challenges facing the world today are both asymmetric and trans-border in nature, involving mainly non-state actors in different regions and sub-regions of the world. Nigeria and its neighbours are, therefore, not immune to national security threats. However, with additional logistics and support to the military in the forms of resources and public confidence, the Nigerian security agents will have a much better chance to surmount the security challenges being currently experienced in parts of the country.
While the current offensive operations and the results they are yielding are commendable, there is the need for security agents not to relent or become complacent. As previously experienced, once offensive operations against terrorists and other enemies of state reach a commendable level, security agents tend to relax a little and drop the ball in the process.
The need for the Nigerian military and sister security agencies to stay on course and remain focused is made even more crucial as the nation prepares for the 2023 general elections. It is heartwarming that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Faruk Yahaya, has restated the commitment of the Nigerian Army to providing a secure atmosphere for the conduct of the 2023 general elections by pledging to inject more manpower as well as game-changing equipment into all theatres of operations across the country.
Indeed, the dismantling of insurgents’ hideouts resulting in the massive surrender of the terrorists has positively impacted the morale of troops and greatly bolstered the confidence of the citizens. What will make the new-found energy, effort and enthusiasm even more reassuring is when it can be sustained throughout the election season and beyond.
Arilesere writes from Ibadan, Oyo state