In recent years, the South East region of Nigeria has experienced increased insecurity, posing significant challenges to the safety and well-being of its residents. There is a dire need to effectively address this issue especially this yuletide and the military has an important role to play in this to safeguard the citizens especially those that will be coming home for the festivities.
The military must adopt a comprehensive and strategic approach that goes beyond traditional methods and desist from name calling which has given some non-state actors the leverage to perpetuate their acts.
Some of the key strategies the military can implement to curb insecurity in South East region of Nigeria will include to enhance intelligence gathering and understand the dynamics of insecurity in the region. The military should as such, strengthen collaboration with local communities, intelligence agencies, and international partners to gather actionable information. This collaborative effort can provide valuable insights into the activities of insurgent groups and criminal networks.
Then, they will need to build trust with local communities. Establishing communication channels, community outreach programmes, and involving local leaders in security initiatives can foster a sense of cooperation. This collaborative approach can yield valuable information, improve intelligence, and facilitate joint efforts to combat insecurity as the military alone cannot win the fight.
Even though the military for sometime now has engaged in non kinetic operations such as the operation egwu eke, it is still mandatory that the military deploys specialized units trained in counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations. These units can conduct targeted operations against specific threats, disrupting criminal activities while minimizing collateral damage as specialized training equips the military with the skills needed to navigate complex urban environments and engage with non-state actors effectively.
Addressing the root causes of insecurity involves socio-economic development. The military can work in tandem with government agencies and non-governmental organizations to implement infrastructure projects and create economic opportunities so as to improve living conditions and offer alternatives to vulnerable populations, thereby, reducing the appeal of engaging in criminal activities.
Insecurity often transcends national borders hence collaborative efforts with neighboring countries are crucial to preventing the movement of insurgents and illicit activities across borders. This is to say that state governments in the region must synergise, share intelligence, have joint patrols, and coordinated strategies with the military to effectively curb the cross-border elements of insecurity.
Respect for human rights is paramount in military operations and for this, training personnel on human rights standards and ensuring strict compliance can help prevent grievances within the population. Upholding human rights principles also contributes to building a positive perception of the military, fostering cooperation from the local communities.
The military in Nigeria, must leverage technology, such as use of surveillance systems, drones, and communication networks, to enhance its operational capabilities in the South East. Real-time data and intelligence can improve decision-making and response times, making it more challenging for criminal elements to operate undetected.
Addressing insecurity in South East Nigeria requires a multifaceted and strategic approach. By combining intelligence gathering, community engagement, targeted operations, socio-economic development, cross-border cooperation, human rights awareness, and technology integration, the military can significantly restore stability and safety in the region. It is, therefore, of great importance for the military as a whole to work collaboratively with other stakeholders, including government agencies, community and religious leaders, and international partners, to create a sustainable, lasting and effective security framework in the region.
PRINCESS-EKWI AJIDE
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