Nigerian Security expert, Kabir Adamu has said the country is facing terrorism problems because it has failed to follow its counterterrorism strategy.
Mr. Adamu, while speaking on Village Square Africa on News Central TV said the country has ditched the strategy which holds the key to the battle against terrorism, not only on the part of the government but even civil organisations.
He said the military can’t be blamed totally for Nigeria’s current situation as the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Ministry of Interior and other key offices have roles to play.
When quizzed about what can be pinpointed as the fuel for the resurgence of the terrorists, Mr. Adamu cited funding and recruitment of new terrorists. He said the Nigerian government has to cut these factors to quell the rising security challenges.
The security expert said Nigeria is facing a trio of terrors in the Boko Haram faction led by Shekau, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and the second faction of Boko Haram. While Boko Haram’s foothold has been reduced, he said insecurity challenges are coming from different sources.
He also added that some initiatives brought by Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, like the use of local militia, are no longer in use.
Temitope Olodo, a Preventive Terrorism expert also said on the show that the Nigerian government hasn’t shown enough sincerity with the people.
Read: Terrorism May Continue In Nigeria For Next 20 Years
Mr Olodo said while the Nigerian government has constantly claimed victory in the battle against terror in the country, terrorists have hardly stopped striking.
He said Nigeria needs more proactive, rather than reactive approaches in its counterterrorism strategy.
On the killing of more than 40 farmers in Zabarmari, a community in Borno, northeast Nigeria, Mr Adamu said the farmers should be wary of such reprisal attacks, since they provide intelligence for the military.
He said they must seek protection by at least 5km before going out on the field.
Mr Olodo called for the use of mercenaries in Nigeria’s battle against terrorism and sought partnerships with experts on the field who can be of massive value to information gathering and situation analysis.