The attack on the Nigerian military camp by terrorists in Kareto, Borno State leading to the death of between five to 20 soldiers must not be allowed to recede from public consciousness like many such incidents. The Federal Government must intensify measures to tackle the escalating scale of insecurity in the country.
On November 16, a major attack was launched at the military camp by Islamic State fighters who were armed with various weapons. While media reports gave the number of soldiers killed as 20, the Defence Headquarters put the number at five.
The terrorists not only took control of the camp and burned it (including 14 vehicles), but they also seized four four-wheel drive vehicles and a quantity of weapons, including heavy machine guns, before withdrawing to their positions. This indicates a well-orchestrated attack and a degree of callousness that must signal renewed efforts to fight against insecurity.
Unfortunately, insecurity in Nigeria has morphed into a hydra-headed monster that continues to spawn more nefarious groups.
Recently, a new terrorist sect known as Lakurawa has begun its insidious operation in Sokoto and Kebbi, and has spread into Niger and Kaduna states, leaving a trail of death and destruction in its wake.
Preaching a narrow version of Islam, the sect has been infiltrating the North-West since 2018. It upped the ante in November by slaughtering 15 residents in a Kebbi village. Its forces collect tributes from residents and farmers. It controls markets and has installed traditional rulers in its operation areas to the Nigerian state’s chagrin.
In its 2024 Global Terrorism Index, the Institute for Economics and Peace listed Nigeria in the eighth position. According to the index, terrorism in Nigeria decreased from 8.07 points in 2022 to 7.85 in 2023. This is too high.
Despite the sporadic military victories against bandits and terrorists in the North, insurgents have continued to multiply and thrive and have even resorted to showing off themselves on social media.
Nigeria is under siege from Boko Haram. It has been since 2009. In that period, the splinter of groups of Boko Haram, especially Ansaru, and ISWAP, and bandits and Fulani herdsmen, established footholds in Nigeria. They kidnap, rob, maim, displace, and kill locals.
In the South-East, separatist gunmen murder civilians and security operatives. In August and September, gunmen attacked the divisional police stations at Umunze, Oba and Nnobi, in Idemili South and Nnewi, Anambra State. There have been killings in Okija, and Ogbunka areas of the state.
Two weeks ago, two soldiers were killed during an attack at a checkpoint in Umuahia, Abia State. In Enugu, reports have emerged of renewed attacks by killer herdsmen after several farmers were slain.
Insecurity has deterred investments, and tourism and created an atmosphere of fear across the country. The Federal Government should invest more in security infrastructure, including establishing more security outposts and upgrading surveillance systems in key locations.
Security operatives need to use more technological tools to detect and track masterminds of violence across the country. State governments should strengthen their partnerships with federal security agencies to ensure a coordinated approach to tackling security challenges in their states.
Vigilance groups should be armed to tackle insurgency in communities.
The Nigeria security architecture has been breached by internal collaborators with terrorists.
These saboteurs should be identified and dealt with. There is also a need for security chiefs to be held more responsible and replaced when they fail at their jobs.
The Federal Government must no longer countenance apprehended terrorists to go scot-free; they should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law and serve as a deterrence to others.
As a federal state, Nigeria cannot wish away state police again; the stakeholders should adopt this immediately.
