At ABU Dialogue, Chief of Defence Staff blames Nigeria’s security challenges on internal, external factors
The Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has blamed Nigeria’s current security challenges on both internal and external factors.
Gen. Musa made this known while delivering a paper at a one-day dialogue organised by the Institute for Development Research and Training (IDR&T), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria on Friday, 26th July, 2024.
He explained that the situation in contagion nations around Nigeria like the political crisis in Libya and other sub-Saharan countries had aggravated the security situation in Northern Nigeria through the proliferation of small arms and light weapons into the country through Chad and Niger borders.
The CDS also said that the porous nature of Nigeria’s borders encouraged cross border movement of criminal elements like Boko Haram, bandits, kidnappers, militia and violent herdsmen.
“Complexities of border management, seeing security challenges as the business of only security personnel, perception of lack of justice and lack of patriotism are some of the challenges that affect the armed forces efforts towards curbing insecurity”, he said.
According to him, to proffer solutions, “Politicians and Public Administrators responsible for policy formulation must embrace the tenets of good governance so that citizens do not feel alienated and continue to have confidence in the system”
He urged that all appointed and elected office holders should attend a form of orientation regularly, particularly before assuming office which should be organized by relevant government agencies and the academia.
Gen Musa pointed out that decisive human capital development remained the bedrock of addressing insecurity as it encourages patriotism and fosters peaceful coexistence among citizens. He also reiterated the need to foster collaboration between law enforcement agencies and local communities, especially traditional rulers.
Earlier in his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Prof. Kabiru Bala, commended the armed forces for their efforts in tackling the myriad of security challenges bedeviling Northern Nigeria, stressing that the University was committed to the resolution of security challenges through research, education and community engagement.
“Scholars and students are actively involved in researching the root causes of insecurity and exploring sustainable solutions” he said.
Prof. Bala, who was the chairman of the occasion, noted that education was a critical tool in combating ignorance and fostering tolerance.
Also speaking, one of the discussants, Brig. Gen. Sani Usman Kuka Sheka (rtd), expressed optimism that security challenges could be mitigated if the right approach was used by involving some critical components like traditional rulers.
Gen. Sheka also called for constitutional reform that will give traditional rulers roles and responsibilities in the Nigerian society.
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Public Affairs Directorate,
Office of the Vice-Chancellor,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
Saturday, 27th July, 2024
