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Boko Haram Insurgency and its Paradignatic Shift in Terror:
The Nigerian Military/Security as Endangered Specie
1 2 3 4
Chimaobi Okorie, Fidelis Ngaji Akwaji, Ede Victor Itita, Eyang Brian Obue,
5 6
Okon Bassey Bassey & Nnamdi S. Okonkwo
1, 3&4Department of Social Work University of Calabar Cross River State Nigeria.
2Department of Criminology and Security Studies, University of Calabar,
Cross River State, Nigeria.
5Department of Political Science University of Calabar Cross River State
6Department of international Relations and Strategic Studies,
Admiralty University of Nigeria Ibusa, Delta State
Article DOI: 10.48028/iiprds/ijargpgm.v4.i1.15
A b s t r a c t
he study sets out to investigate the extent which the Boko Haram insurgency has
Ttaken a terrible dimension and shift its focus on attacking the Nigerian
military/security forces. Thus, as a terrorist group with an ideology of eradicating
western edifices and enthroning Islamic doctrine which it pursued with the instrumentality
of bombing, killing, kidnapping of innocent citizens and instilling fears while unleashing
terrible humanitarian issues of displacement. The group has turned its agenda towards
unleashing terror at the nigerian military and security personnels. Thus, it's an irony and
serious contradiction that a country known as "giant of Africa" with a strong formidable
ground force, that have engaged in many humanitarian and peacekeeping gestures of
military proportion outside its shores cannot defeat a guirrela terrorist group for over 10
years, despite huge monies voted for security votes and defence appropriation to counter
Boko Haram terror. it is upon this worrisome situation the study delved to examine how
factors such as: corruption and intelligence leakage could be responsible for the weak anti-
terrorism campaign. The paper adopted the qualitative research methodology, while the
content was used to analyse and interprete data retrieved from secondary sources like
textbook, journal articles, newspaper/magazines, etc. The human security theory and
needs theory were explored. The study discovered that, porous borders, embezzlement of
security votes and misappropriation of defence expenditures, sabotage are responsible for
the poor results in countering Boko Haram. hence a robust, sincere and uncompromising
security intelligence and brute force, motivation of personnels and strict border security.
Keywords: Terrorism, Nigerian military/security, Intelligence, Human security and needs theory
Corresponding Author: Chimaobi Okorie
International Journal of Advanced Research in Global Politics, Governance and Management | IJARGPGM
p-ISSN: 2636-686X | e-ISSN: 2636-6878
Volume 4, Number 1 February, 2023
http://internationalpolicybrief.org/journals/international-scientific-research-consortium-journals/intl-jrnl-of-advanced-research-in-global-politics-governance-and-management-vol4-no1-february-2023
page | 229
Background to the Study
The Boko Haram mayhem, unleashed by a fundamentalist group professing the superiority of
islamic doctrine and its forceful adoption, remains a devastating threat to the cooperate
existence of the Nigerian state. The Boko Haram terrorism have continuously perturbed the
peace of Nigeria in her fourth republic democratic dispensation. The level of destruction,
displacement and human security cost in the form of loss to farmers, closure of educational
institutions, food insecurity, etc. its alarming. The Boko Haram conflicts which emerged in the
north, was rated the second largest terror group in the world in 2012 for killing a total of 1, 132
persons in the 364 attacks, only surpassed by Afghanistan's Taliban. At least 1, 200 people
were killed and nearly 200, 000 displaced during 2018 in the nine year long northeast conflict
between Boko Haram insurgents and government forces. Another 1, 600 people were killed
and 300, 000 displaced as a result of intercommunual violence in the north central region.
Scores of others were killed during heavy-handed crack downs by security forces (Dune 2018;
Okpaga and Innocent 2012; Ome and Casmir 2016; Human Right Watch 2019).
The Nigerian State response to the Boko haram issue has been the usual militaristic approach
which has prevailed in other cases of insecurity in the Nigerian body polity, Evidences in the
matutine revolution, major ethnic and religious crisis, Niger Delta resources war brings to bear
the militaristic approach always preferred by the Nigerian state. That the state remains the sole
provider of security in terms of fulfilling its social contract oath of ensuring the security of the
citizens lives and property it's not to be disputed. Within the purview of the 1999 constitution
of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it is explicit thus: “the security and welfare of the people
are the primary purpose of the government”. It is based on this premises and philosophy of
protecting the lives of the masses and enhancing their welfare that the government created the
military, security and Para-military agencies-Army, Navy, Air force, police, Civil Defense,
Director for state service, immigration, custom, etc. The emergence of the Boko haram into
the Nigerian socio-political landscape has seen the huge and continuous increase in financial
budgetary allocations and security votes to Boko haram infested areas and crisis prone states.
The huge budgetary allocations to defense represent 10. 50 percent of the #58. 001 trillion (48.
30%)or almost half of the extravagant budget was expanded in 2012, 2013, and 2014. By the
end of 2018 president Buhari spent N1. 864 trillion (30. 57%) or more of the 11 years defence
budget since his coming into power on May 29 2015. This does not include the request of the
president and approval of the National executive Council (NEC) for the sum of one billion
dollars (about N350 billion) from the excess crude account (ECA) to buy weapons to frontally
tackle security challenges emanating from Boko Haram. The defence budget for 11 years
moves upward to N6. 5 billion, (Ndujike, 2018 in Olise and Emeh 2019).
The above analysis, clearly buttressed the facts that, the country's response and attitudes
towards crisis of such proportion, is followed up with extreme militarization and application
of brute force. Military crackdown by the use of the barrel of the gun has been the ultima ratio
in the calculus of security management and crisis response systems. Many observers, scholars,
analysts and development experts have queried the excessive employment of brute force in all
campaigns to quell threats. Many issues according to pundits should be considered as
necessary in tackling the Boko haram threats, such as: poverty, lopsided radicalization, Islamic
page | 230
indoctrination of dangerous fundamentalist ideology, illiteracy and all-round development.
The military option and its adverse effects prompting the fierce radicalization of Boko Haram
to the point where the country and its security forces are still wobbling to withstand the
multifaceted attack and ambushed by Boko Haram and other agent of deaths – herdsmen,
unknown gunmen, bandits, etc remains mind boggling. The violent radicalization of Boko
Haram became a worrisome issue of national and international interest immediately the death
of its founding leader-Mohammed Yusuf. His death was the fall out of the confrontation
between the members of Boko Haram who were on a burial procession to bury their members
and the Nigeria police in Bornu. It was a heavy gun duel that led to deaths, arrest and detention
of Boko Haram members, and the eventually extrajudicial killing of its leader, Yusuf in July
2009. The death of Yusuf saw the emergence of a more radical and blood thirsty leader,
Shekau, who was the second in command to late Yusuf. Shekau brought Boko Haram terror as
a killer sects into international limelight, expanded its reach beyond Maiduguri, to capture
other states, changed its tactics, engaged the services of more radical youths beyond the shores
of Nigeria, gained finances from Osama Bin Laden etc. The attack and occupation of Geiam
and Kanamma police station in Yobe state, raising the flag of the Taliban, made it public the
group as an enemy of the Nigerian state in December 2003, (the CNN world news 2021,
salaam 2013;Apard 2015).
Since the 2003 attack at police base in Kebbi, Boko Haram has continuously targeted military
and security installation and their bases. The military has become endangered species, their
lives lost, weapons carted away, their intelligence compromised. Thus the military who were
supposed to protect the citizens from internal insurrections and external aggression, have
become vulnerable to the attack by terrorists and other criminal elements. The Nigerian
military that have in several occasions proven their bravery in many external humanitarian
ventures outside the shores of Nigeria in countries like Liberia, Congo, Sieraleone, etc have
become a thing of mockery in the hands of rag tag and untrained bandits and terrorist. This
occurs severally as Boko Haram attacks the military and security, engaging them in pitched
battles that most times sees the Nigerian military retreating and overwhelmed. Such a sorry
situation makes one to wonder if there is the problem of lack of morale, poor combat
readiness, poor logistic, inadequate financing etc. that could make the military so weak and
vulnerable to Boko Haram onslaught.
Based on the above, the study sets out to examine the shift in Boko Haram attacks from
civilians to military and security installations and formations, that results in Boko Haram's
ability to cart away weapons, burn down military premises, kidnap some as captives until
heavy ransom is paid, while some are executed. The study brings to limelight some factors
such as financial corruption in terms of embezzling monies voted for the acquisition of
military weapons to prosecute the war on terror, leakage of information and intelligence, poor
motivation.
Statement of the Problem
The paradigmatic shift in the attack, orchestrated by Boko Haram clearly demonstrates the
vulnerability of the Nigerian military and security agencies/personnels at the frontline of
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counter insurgency. That Boko Haram attack the military shows the group's hatred for the
Nigerian state, civilians whom they feel are accomplice in the fight against insurgency and the
military. The incessant attack by Boko Haram against the Nigerian military shows the extent
of porosity and weakness of the military and security agencies. Their bases have been
attacked, burnt and the Nigerian military have faced attack from not just Boko Haram but
unknown gunmen.
th
Oko (2022) opined that, on the 8 April 2022, soldiers on a patrol in Abia came under attack by
unknown gunmen who set ablaze a military tank after an early morning raid. The soldiers were
ambushed at the popular Tonimas junction, osisioma axis, on the Enugu-Aba-Port Harcourt
th
expressway. In the same year, the Sahara Reporters stated that, on Saturday, 30 April 2022
gunmen shot dead and then beheaded a couple who were operatives of the Nigerian Army.
Military source told Sahara reporters that A. M Linus, a sergeant first class in the army and his
Lance Corporal wife were on their way to Imo State when the incident happened. After
beheading the couple who just got married, the gunmen were said to have called their family
members to mock them.
The Sahara reporters of January 6 2022, informed that, the Islamic state backed faction of
Boko Haram, the Islamic State of West Africa province (ISWAP), formerly known as Ahl as-
Sunnah Lid-Da'wah Wa'l Jihad, claimed its fignters killed 10 Nigerian soldiers in Borno State
th
on Tuesday, January 6 2022 in Martie located near the shores of the Lake Chad-Borno State.
In the same wave length, Ayitogo (2021) opined that, Boko Haram fighters invaded the
headquarters of 156 Task Force Battalion in Maninok, about 60 kilometers west of
Maiduiguri, the Borno State capital. The terrorist camouflaged in the police vehicle and
approached a military checkpoint before opening fire on unsuspecting soldiers. One Army
Officer and 17 others died in the battle, while no fewer than 43 other soldiers were seriously
th
injured, 50 other personnels remained missing as of Monday 25 April, 2022 morning. Over
50 personnels who survived the battle made their way on foot to nearby Army Super Camp 4.
An unknown number of others were remained trapped in bushes.
The Nigerian military have suffered terrible attacks in the hands of Boko Haram that leaves
one to wonder, if this is the same military that in the political history of Nigeria, have been
deployed outside the shores of the country to partake in peacekeeping missions. The Nigerian
military was deployed to the first united peace keeping mission was in Congo, 1960-64. In 2005
in Liberia where Nigerian peacekeepers helped disarm more than 100, 000 fighters and to
assist with a series of elections; in 2003, Nigeria sent troops to the UN mission from forces led
by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) which lasted till March
2008; 20, 000 Nigerians were sent to Liberia where more than 1, 500 were female; some 320
Nigerian police and troops were taken as part of UN peacekeeping operation in Mali,
MINUSMA, with the aim of supporting the government in stabilizing the country after the
Islamists and Tuareg rebel fighters gained control of the north back in 2013. (UN News). The
irony remains why then does the same military and security personnels with such glamouring
and formidable foot prints expressed in various military valours outside the shares of the
country, is now seen being cajoled and wobbling like an infant baby trying to crawl in the face
page | 232
of Boko Haram terrorism? Why is the Nigerian military and security agencies in the fight
against terrorism, vulnerable and helpless in the face of continuous attack by Boko Haram
bandits and unknown gunmen on daily basis, to the point of Boko Haram carting away
weapons, burning down military vehicles, bases, checkpoints while the Boko Haram terrorism
seems unabated?It is based upon the reasons, the study delved into unraveling the
discrepancies and loopholes, such as financial corruption, leakage in intelligence, poor
motivational incentives and logistics (purchase of adequate military hardware, weaponry,
technological gadgets, etc. )to effectively prosecute the war on Boko Haram terror and other
imminent threats to the military and security agencies, Nigerian citizens and state in general.
Objective of the Study
The general objective of the study, is to examine the paradigmatic shift of Boko Haram
terrorism from targeting of civilians to the military and security agencies whom are at the
frontline of countering terrorism.
The study further looks into some salient issues below:
i. To what extent has corruption (embezzling of funds budgeted for the acquisition of
weapons) hinders the effective counter terrorism campaign in Nigeria making the
Nigerian Military and security personnels vulnerable to Boko Haram attack?
ii. To what extent does poor logistics and leakage of intelligence affect effective counter
terrorism campaign in Nigeria?
Theoretical Framework
The study explores the human security theory and Basic Needs Theory.
Human Security Theory
According to Sekwat(undated), human security is a concept connoting the protection of the
vital core of human lives in ways that enhance human freedoms and human fulfillment.
Human security means protecting people from critical (severe) and pervasive (widespread)
threats and situations. Human security has some characteristics such as: people-centered-this
brings to the fore the individual at the 'center of analysis'. Consequently it considers a wider
image range of conditions which threatens survival, livelihood and dignity of humans and
identifies the threshold below which human life is intolerably threatened; multi–sectorial-
economic security; (persistent poverty, unemployment, food security (hunger and famine),
health security;(deadly infectious diseases, unsafe food, malnutrition, lack of access to basic
health care); Environmental security (environmental pollution) personal security (physical
violence, crime, terrorism, domestic violence, child labour); community security (inter-ethnic,
religious and other identity based tensions); political security (political repression, human
right abuses, etc)
Human Needs Theory
According to Frey and Wilhite (2005), human beings act the way they do because they are,
from daily rise to rest, continually trying to satisfy their basic needs. The five basic needs built
into our generic structure have been identified as survival, belonging, power freedom and fun,
(Glasser 1998 in Frey and WilWhite 2019). According to Abaho (2019), needs theory from the
page | 233
perspectives of Abram Mashow, ranges from physiological (food, water, shelter and sleep),
security or safety (freedom from danger and the fear of job loss, property, food or sleep),
affiliation or acceptance (social needs-belonging and be accepted), esteem (power, prestige,
status and self-confidence) and actualization (what one is capable of becoming maximization
of potential). All these needs are important as the meeting or actualization of one or some
without the other ones still breed unsatisfaction. Malsow documented a long list of human
security (safety threats raging from apprehensiveness, fear, dead and anxiety, tension,
nervousness and jitteriness). Lack of security does not only affect the individual directly but
also the other security dependent sectors such as the economy. For instance, insecurity
discourages development and investment in both local and foreign investment.
The relevance and inputs of the above theoretical underpinning, clearly demonstrates the high
level and enormity of human security challenges of grave proportion. The Human security
side of Boko Haram's onslaught on human security relates to endemic issues such as, food
shortage, loss to farmers, closure of schools, death toll in both civilians and military/security
personnels and their bases. The Boko Haram conflict has continiously unleashed unbearable
human security challenges, as seen in the proliferation of internally displaced persons, who
lacks the basic necessities of life:water, adequate health, sanitary environment, adequate
protection and safety, dignity, etc. We shouldn't forget the suffering of farmers who flee away
from their land, abandon their farmlands which leads to poor agricultural production and food
insecurity. The northern part of Nigeria mostly Niger, Sokoto, Plateau, Kano, Bauchi and
some middle belt like Benue State which harbours enormous food potentials are been attacked
continuously by Boko Haram and bandits:attacks such as killing, kidnapping and molestation
are what they farmers faces on daily basis. The challenges of internally displaced persons too
isn't to be undermined. those displaced persons are also facing chronic Human security
challenges such as poor and unsanitary environment, exposure to harsh and unfriendly
environment, molestation by hoodlums, polluted drinking water, poor health conditions, etc.
While the needs theory brings to the fore, the inadequacy inherent in the provision made to the
frontline officers whom are at the vanguard of counter insurgency in Nigeria. Such needs
includes: sophisticated weapons, tracking devices, intelligence gadgets, food, clothing,
military hardware, financial motivation aside their monthly emoluments, etc. but
unfortunately all these quintessentials are lacking even when billions of Naira is being
budgeted for such national assignment that has serious bearng on our nation-hood and
corporate existence. The absent or inadequacy of the aforementioned necessities ends up
making the frontline officers to be at the mercy of Boko Haram attack and annihilation. many
soldiers have lost lives, women rendered widows, children fatherless and motherless.
Boko Haram: Origin and threat to Nigerian National Security
Boko Haram ('western education is a sin') emerged around 2002 in Maiduguri, the state capital
of Borno State the largest city in North east Nigeria. At the onset the group's intention was not
to prevail or unleash violence in the entire country, but to topple the regime in Northern
Nigeria, which the group felt have been exposed to western life style, which is contradictory to
theirs: a regime they (the group) feel is insensitive to their economic woes and antithetical to
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Islamic ways. In 2019 Boko Haram uprising began in Bauchi and spread to other Northern
states, leaving hundreds of followers, Nigerian law enforcement officers and civilians dead,
(Dunn 2018). The following year, attacks in the North East and other parts of the country
including bombings, mass shootings and executions began to rise. In May 2013, President
Jonathan declared a state of emergency in the states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa. Since
2011, boko Haram- one of the largest Islamist militant group in Africa has conducted
terrorists' attacks on religious and political groups, local police and the military, as well as
indiscriminately attacking civilians in busy markets and villages. The kidnapping of over two
hundred girls from their school in April 2014 drew the attention to the ongoing threat from
Boko Haram and the government's inability to contain it. The group has links with other
international terrorist sects outside Nigeria like the Islamic state in Maghreb in 2015. The
United States boosted military assistance and deployed three hundred troops to Nigeria in an
effort to help combat Boko Haram, (The Global Conflict Tracker 2022).
Boko Haram, bombed the United Nations building on the 26 August 2011. The bomb took the
lives of 18 people. A spokesman for the Islamist group- Boko Haram told the BBC in a phone
call that it had carried out the attack. UN Chief Ban Ki-moon said the attack was “an assault
on those who devote their lives to helping others”, (The BBC News, August 26th 2011). Boko
Haram, according to the former governor of Borno State-Kashim Shettima, boko haram
destruction is so deadly. The sect have engaged in the killing of innocent souls and targeting of
recreational centers, places of worship in a sustained and protracted manner, (Sunday
Tribune, July 17 2011: 52). Since 2010 boko haram has claimed responsibility for serial bomb
attacks on security formations, public offices, the United Nations office in Abuja, religious and
media organizations and institutions of formal education. Boko haram has also kidnapped
many westerners and local people, for whom they have requested huge ransoms and school
girls whom they used as sex slaves, (The BBC News August 26 2011).
The Nigerian military, on its part, have carried out several clamp down using military and
repressive measures in its counter-insurgency campaign. This has manifested in the
deportation of suspected illegal aliens of the Republic of Benin, Chad, Niger and Somalia as
well as the declaration of emergency rule in 15 local government areas in Borno, Yobe, Plateau
and the Niger States (Ashedo and Osumah 2013). Also, repressive measures was exhibited in
many checkpoints in major northern cities in a manner symptomatic of a nation under siege
and on the brink of collapse. Consistent with its stance on the “war on terror”, the United
States provided both fiscal and logistical support to Nigerian troops. According to the former
American undersecretary of state Wendy Sherman the US has trained over 800 staff officers
and more than 41, 000 troops through the Africa Contingency Operations Training and
Assistance (ASOTA) progamme since 2004, (The Guardian, September 16, 2013 in Aghedo
and Osumah 2014). The government's military and repressive counter-insurgency campaign is
replete with all allegations of extrajudicial killings, rape, wanton destruction of property and
Human Rights, violations. Indeed, the Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and
other human rights group have all reported that irrespective of issues of self-defense and/or
heavy provocation, state security operatives have been reckless in their use of lethal force,
leading to deaths of a number of boko haram suspects and innocent persons, (Abati 2009 in
page | 235
Aghedo and Osumah 2014). In response to allegations of extrajudicial killings, illegal arrests,
detentions, and arson, JTF spokesman Lt. Col. Sagir Musa noted that the JTF killed only
when necessary (e. g in self defence or to save the lives of innocent and law-abiding citizens and
their properties). In his words, “[w]e should not forget that several security operatives have
been killed or maimed by Boko Haram terrorists, and alot of police stations and military
installations have been destroyed”. Although no precise official statistics on the number of
suspects and innocent persons killed or manned are available at present, the numbers of
casualties may be considerable, (Daily Sun, June 4 2012 in Aghedo and Osumah 2014).
Tanko (2021) affirmed that, boko haram is expanding its atrocities into new areas, taking
advantage of Nigeria's poverty and other security challenges to propagate its extremist
ideologies. According to the UN, by the end of 2020, conflict with boko haram has led to the
deaths of almost 350, 000 people and forced millions from their homes. Igwe (2021) decried of
the politicization of security and counter-insurgency campaign which benefits some persons,
mostly military and political elites. This is undeniable as some politicians from Northern
Nigeria are sympathizers of the boko haram mayhem. Many of these politicians use religious
bigotry and ethnicity as potent tools for mobilization. Insecurity was a major part of the
campaigns that led to the defeat of the Jonathan's regime. The United States confidently put
Nigeria on a black list for engaging in religious freedom violations. A recent report published
by Amnesty International revealed how older people are particularly exposed to the brutality
of armed groups including witnessing the rape of their own children. Report says that, Africa
is set to overtake the Middle East as the main theatre of Jihadism over the next twenty years.
There are those who insist that Iucrative kickbacks from opaque military expenditure allegedly
serves as incentives to beneficiaries who cause the conflicts to linger. For instance, although
Nigeria's defence spending is shrouded with secrecy, it is believed that about 840 billion naira
($US 2. 1 billion) was budgeted for by the Ministry of Defence in 2020 alone. In addiction the
insurgents are said to have taken control of profitable commercial fishing and farming within
the Lake Chad basin to fund their operations, see. (Ediege, Bassey and Abigail, 2022 on paper
title "Illicit Economy and The Sustenance of Terrorism in Lake Chad Region: Kidnapping for
Ransom and Boko Haram's might"45% of the dry fish consumed in Nigeria comes from Baga
town in Borno State. According to the World Food Program, the combined fish and red pepper
trade contributed $48 million to the Nigerian economy annually and employs about 300, 000
persons. Some military officers posted to the region reportedly flee their place of station,
devoting most of their time to the lucrative fish and livestock business. Kidnapping also
remains a central feature of their terror-finance connectivity. See. . . Ediege, Bassey and
Abigail (2022) on Illicit Economy and The Sustenance of Terrorism in Lake Chad Region
Kidnapping for Ransom and Boko Haram's Might"
Analyst have put the amount of ransom paid to Jihadist kidnappers in North and west Africa
at $120 million. Currently there is slight dividing line between kidnappers, bandits, cattle
rustlers and terrorists. This has been compounded by the existence of porous and poorly
policed borders with Cameroun (773km), Chad (87km) amd Niger (1, 497km). This porous
borders has been responsible for the high incidence of arms proliferation, kidnapping hideouts
etc, (Eselabor and Okunade 2020). When one considers the level of insensitivity and
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irresponsiveness on the part of many African government and Nigeria as a case study where
they have lost grip of the center in terms of inability of providing for the welfare, social security
and protection of the lives, properties and wellbeing of the masses. You see the emergence of
many factional militias to contest the state with the legitimate government. see Bassey,
Chimaobi, Nsagha and Bright (2023) in their work " caught between the whirlpool of the
failed-state of somalia and piracy the security challenge facing the horn of Africa"Also same
has been documented by Okorie, Duke, Uno and Bassey (2023) when they pointed out the
impact of porous borders as a factor paving way for transnational organized crime and
insecurity in Northern Nigeria. With the above twin problems of poorly policed porous
borders and inability for states in Africa to further their social contract in terms of performing
effectively their constitutional duties of protecting lives and properties, efficiently carry out
social security policies for the betterment of the lives of the masses. This is achieved by way of
ensuring not just their safety and security, but ensuring a conducive environment where there is
adequate health system, sound and affordable education and housing, justice in the
distribution of resources, etc.
Boko Haram insurgency and the attack at Nigerian military and security personnels.
That there is a clear paradigmatic shift, in the target of boko haram from civilians to military
and security personnels is not to be disputed. Thus, making those who are constitutionally
mandated to implement government's security and defence policies of protecting lives and
properties, suppress internal insurrection, protect and safeguard the territorial integrity of the
Nation against external threat and violation, to be endangered. Imagine a Nation where
humans are killed on daily basis, the military and security agencies and persnnels attacked,
ambushed and overwhelmed with their weapons carted away in most instances. It shows the
level of state failure of a country known as the “giant of Africa”. It further entails the weakness
and paralysis of the military and security forces in the counter-insurgency campaign as
terrorists and bandits most times display the sophistication of their weapons. Issues of
ammunition shortage as one of the factors that cripples the counter insurgency is been
narrated thus:
One police officer who is a member of the joint task force serving in the
northeastern Borno State said troops are given just 30 bullets before heading out
to patrol or search for boko haram. If you want more bullets, you have to bribe a
superior officer (Voice of America).
The Vanguard News of 6 April, 2022, reported that, terrorist suspected to be the Ansaru, an
arm of Boko Haram sect attacked a military base at Polewire in Birnin-Girari, Kaduna State
killing 17 soldiers and injuring 40 others after a fierce battle between both parties. The gunmen
also killed three locales, razed four armoured vehicles and went away with military weapons
after killing the soldiers. The attack came as Birnin-Gwari Emirate People's Union (BEPU)
raised alarm over the continued subjection of its people to terror attacks and imposition of
taxes and other levies by Ansaru members, despite persistent complaints, to the government.
In the same vein, Sunday (2021) opined that, suspected boko haram terrorists, in five gun
trucks attacked a military base at Tamsukwu in Kaga local council of Borno State. The
terrorist penetrated from the Southern flank of Sambisa forest and targeted soldiers at the base
page | 237
chanting “Allahu Akubakar” (God is great in Arabic) with the residents fleeing for safety.
Confirming the clash, the commander, sector 3 of Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF), Modu
Fannani disclosed that the terrorists were in military uniform. He further said, “the clash
between the terrorists and troops lasted for over an hour before a fighter jet, along with ground
troops came as reinforcement for the soldiers. Casualties from both the military and terrorist
were not ascertained.
Ayitogo (2021) observed that, there was an attack at the headquarters of 156 task force
battalion in Mainok in West of Borno State. The base was completely destroyed as Boko
Haram carted away arms and ammunitions, burning everything in sight. The group used both
matchete and guns to stage the attack, while over 50 personnel who survived the battle made
their way on foot to the nearby village, numbers of others who escaped were believed to remain
trapped in bushes. The casualty figure for the boko haram terrorists remained unknown. How
the boko haram sects managed to enter the base remains a myth till date. The Mine-Resistant
Anti-Personnel vehicles belonging to 81 Division area of responsibility, which got caught in
gun fire, are yet to be recovered. In the attack, at least one Nigerian Army officer and 17
soldiers died in the battle. Aljazeera news of 20 May 2020, informed that, Boko Haram
attacked the Blabrine military base overnight leaving 10 soldiers wounded, as told by the
Defence Ministry. While seven terrorists were neutralized by Niger soldiers. The Blabrine base
is some 20 Km (12 miles) Northeast of Diffa Town in the remote southeastern region near
Lake Chad, where the borders of Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria converges. In October
2019, 12 Niger troops were killed at Blabrine according to the Defense Ministry. The Sahara
Reporters of New York, January 6 2022, also informed that insurgents on Tuesday, 11th of
October 2019, engaged Nigerian troops at the military post in Marte Community-located near
the shores of Lake Chad, Borno State. The terror group added that it razed down the facility,
while armored tank and military operational vehicles were captured. ISWAP in the post said
10 people were killed including soldiers and children during the attack. The France. com
informed that gunmen attacked Nigerians Elite Military Academy on Tuesday, killing two
officers and kidnapping another in a brazen assault on a symbol of the armed forces. The raid
on the Nigerian Defense Academy, the country's main officer training school, is a devastating
blow for a military already grappling with a prolonged Jihadist insurgency and wearily armed
criminal syndicates. The security architecture of the Nigerian Defense Academy was
compromised early morning before the attack by unknown gunmen. “we lost two personnel
and one was abducted” said Major Bashir Muhammad Jajira, spokesman for the academy in
the northwestern State of Kaduna. The Sahara Reporters, New York, February 11 2022,
informed that, aircraft of the Nigerian Air force under operation Thunder Strike have bombed
at least 20 terrorists otherwise known as bandits who were heading for the Nigerian Defense
Academy (NDA) in Kaduna State. Credible intelligence source told PR Nigeria that the
bandits riding on over 50 motorcycles were seen on Thursday evening advancing towards the
Academy, in Kaduna State.
Intelligence Leakage and Compromise
Intelligence, the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills. Seiglie, Coissard and
Echinard (2008) sees intelligence as information superiority: the capability to collect process
page | 238
and disseminate an uninterrupted flow of information while exploiting or denying an
adversary's ability to do the same”. Eggers, Steinberg and Graham (2003) are of the views that,
foremost to be considered in mapping out a intelligence system to fight terrorism while
protecting openness and privacy is to have a profound knowledge on the type of information is
required to aid each homeland security challenge. Like in the case of America borders, there is
need for more complete information about people and goods entering the country. To nip in
the bud and forestall potential terrorist threats within a state there urgency to advance
traditional investigative techniques by cross-referencing databases such as airline reservation
records, phone logs, and credit histories with government law enforcement, immigration, and
intelligence furthermore to ensure the safety of critical infrastructure such as agriculture, food,
water, public health, emergency services, telecommunications, energy, transportation,
banking, and finance, it is necessary to map vulnerabilities against capabilities of potential
terrorists, people who have access to those infrastructures, and the means available to carry out
effective attacks. Also, in a bid to tackle emergencies, there is need for a two-way
communication in real time between first responders and other officials about the extent and
nature of the attack, the resources available to respond, and the risk of further terrorist action.
However, in this context of military campaign against Boko Haram, it connotes the collection
of information of military or political value. Within the context of Nigerian, it brings to the
fore, the idea that amongst other resources (finance, military hardware in terms of weapons,
personnels) etc to tackle insurgency problems, intelligent gathering, which comes in different
forms is necessary. The input, in the form of reliable and timely information, from civil society
groups, community members and private agents as regards aiding the frontline military and
security personnels. This entails communication as regards the hideouts and place of refuge of
terrorists, their plans, time of attack, etc. Most times certain intelligent information are kept
classified and secret for security reasons. Pecht and Tishler (2011) opined that, the technology
and information revolution along with globalization have placed intelligence as the major
factor in achieving appropriate national security in the fall of current military and terror
threats. Since the second world war the preeminence of military intelligence became obvious
to the contemporary regional conflicts and globalized war on terror.
The war against Boko Haram, still lingers for long as a result of many factors, which amongst
others, intelligence failure and sabotage is one of such. This is evident when one recalls the
January 2017 planned air strike by the Nigerian Air force that was to target Boko Haram, but
mistakenly bombed a camp of internally displaced persons in Rann village in Borno state,
which the defence headquarters tagged as lack of appropriate planning and decision making.
The error led to the killing of more than 100 refugees and aid workers. Since the rise in violent
onslaught staged by so called bandits across the country's Northern region, the government
has been in a state of confusion in differentiating between terrorists and bandits as forms of
criminality. The issue of poor information and intelligence have led to the ambushing by
jihadists and killing the Nigerian military with ease. An estimated 337 Nigerian soldiers have
been killed from insurgents' ambushes since 2019, according to a report. Over the 36 states of
the federation, Nigerian Army have been deployed, yet they experience attack by bandits on
daily basis. In September 2021, 12 soldiers attached to operation Hadi Theatre commands
travelling from Monguno to Maiduguri were killed in an ambush. The insurgent reportedly
page | 239
took away three gun trucks as well as substantial cash. In April 4 2021, 31 Nigerian soldiers
were reportedly killed when extremists ambushed a military convoy escorting weapons in
mainok near Maiduguri, killing troops and seizing weapons. In March 2020, an ambush near
the Goneri village in Borno state wiped out an entire army artillery unit, leading to the death of
at least 50 soldiers. A controversial ambush that occurred on 21 November 2021 still cannot
trace the source. The military had previously repelled attacks from the group in Damaturu in
Borno state near Chadian border, with casualties on both sides. A Brigadier General and
commander of the Special Forces team near chibok, Dzarma Zirkusu received a distress call
that askira, a small community 150 kilometer south of Maiduguri, was under attack by
insurgants. Reportedly a convoy of around 12 gun trucks, the insurgents almost overwhelmed
the military who called for reinforcements. A gallant commander who prefers to lead from the
front, general Zirkusu launched counters offensive support for his soldiers. A vehicle ripped
with bombs belonging to the Islamic states West Africa province (ISWAP) drove into his
convoy killing the commander and three colleagues. This remains a failure of intelligence or
internal sabotage, (Igwe 2022).
In the same vein, Omoniyi (2021) decried of the adverse effects of poor intelligence gathering,
information leakage on the one hand and the continuous assaults by Boko haram, bandits and
other criminal gangs against the Nigerian military and citizens on the other hand. This has
surfaced in the north east, north west and north central swathes of the country (Niger, Kogi
and Nasarawa, to the federal capital territory- Abuja. As at the time of this study (2022)
Nigeria was regarded as one of the most dangerous places to live in. The 2020 Global
Terrorism Index identified Nigeria specifically as the third country most affected by terrorism.
Also the Nigeria Security Tracker documented 2, 769 violent deaths recorded between
February 2020 and February 2021 in just one northern state. Kidnappings staged by various
criminal armed groups increased in the past five years. A recent report noted that over $ 18
million was paid as ransom for victims abducted between 2011 and 2020. The threats if
kidnapping carried out by bandits has been echoed by Ediege, Bassey and Abigail (2021) in the
study "illicit economy and the sustenance of terrorism in the lake chad region: kidnapping for
ransom and Boko Haram's might". Omoniyi further informed that many of the crimes
perpetrated and violence recorded could have been averted if Nigeria had a virile intelligence
network and there is greater cooperation, not misunderstanding, among the government units
tasked with providing intelligence and security, Say some of experts. The facts is if the issue of
poor intelligence is adequately addressed among all the security, intelligence agencies and
military, then insecurity would have been drastically reduced by 50% said Timothy Avele, the
chief executive officer of Agent x- security ltd. “from the president down the ladder of the
leadership of various security agencies and the military, all acknowledged this thorny issue of
lack of actionable intelligence”. Also while everyone wants intelligence, sadly no one wants to
invest in its acquisition. Imagine a military top leadership asking villagers to supply
intelligence. Intelligence could only be procured by trained intelligent analysis. Sadly, the
entire police force has less than 70 trained modern analysts, the military less than 100. If the
three major outfit tasked with providing intelligence cover for security operations in the
country; The Nigerian police, the state security service and the national intelligence agency,
were virile and united, the pervasive insecurity would be greatly curbed. Unfortunately, until
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recently we could not trace a criminal using his mobile phone record. The level of illiteracy
among the police force is high, their educational requirement is not high, and it becomes a last
resort to school dropout, who probably had no other options in life. Nigeria has not come of
age. The Nigeria police do not possess the required skill to secure a crime scene, conduct
efficient evidence- gathering procedures such as lifting fingerprints from the crime scene, have
no credible criminal data base, cannot use forensic science in solving crime and so on,
(Omoniyi 2021)
According to Jimoh (2022), poor intelligence and sabotage have been a serious threat to the
th
fight against Boko haram insurgency in Nigeria. Describing the Tuesday 19 2022 Nigerian
Air force plane crash that claimed the lives of two officers as one mishap to many, the people's
Democratic Party (PDP) stated following the inconcusiveness of previous investigations, it is
suspecting sabotage of national security by members and sympathizers of ruling all
Progressive Congress (APC). The PDP member derived of the perceived complicity leading to
numerous unexplained military aircraft crashes in the country in the last seven years. The
worst is each time there is a plane crash, the APC-led government of President Buahri comes
up with the public announcement to investigate the circumstance surrounding the mishap, but
typically of the administration, such investigation will never come into fruition. This pattern
gives credence to the strong perception among Nigerians that there is complicity or sabotage of
our national security architecture, including air force, which is critical to the fight against
terrorism. The nation has experienced no fewer than unexplained military anti crashes since
the Muhammad Buahri-led APC government took over power in 2015.
Corruption and The Fight Against Boko Haram Terrorism
This part of the work, clearly renforces the idea that, corruption in the form of embezzlement
of funds, earmarked for the purchase of military hardware, ammunitions, logistics of any kind
to frontally tackle Boko Haram terrorism have crippled the Nigerian Armed forces-Army,
Navy, Air force and other security and Para-military agencies-Police, Dss, Civil defence, etc
who are involved in the counter Boko Haram insurgency. The Kleptocracy in the defence
sector since the emergence of the fight against Boko Haram is alarming. Thus as the nation,
since the time of President Good luck Jonathan, huge monies have been budgeted and pushed
into the defence and security sector, yet the Boko haram insurgency looms high and unabated.
The insurgents operate with more guts, intelligence, audacity and effrontery to the point of
ambushing the Nigeria military on several occasions, (Duke, Agbaji and Bassey 2017). Duke
and Bassey (2021) their study "enthroning the Tenets of Accountability and Transparency in
Defense Spending: The Security Votes Brouhala and the Recklessness of State Governors in
Nigeria" narrated the extent at which the defense sector is shrouded with unnecessary secrecy,
making it easy for misappropriation of funds.
Corruption, has been a serious distorting and destabilizing force militating against all lofty
efforts of Nation-building and development, Poverty alleviation, credible elections,
infrastructural advancement, sound education and functional health system, security and
safety of citizens, etc. It has caused the proliferation and flourishing of illicit economic
activities, Prostitution, arm trade, human trafficking, oil bunkery and theft etc., (Paul and
page | 241
Mekoa 2021; Ezeanya 2014; Aputazie, 2021, Okanle and Nkpe 2022;Bamidele 2012;
Onyekwere 2021;Sule, Ibrahim and Ibrahim 2018;Sule, Mohd Sani and Mat 2018;Ogbuagu,
Ubi and Effiom 2014;Hoffmann and Patel 2021; Onwujekwe, Odili, Mbachu, Hutchinson,
Ichoku, Ogbozor, Agwu, Obi and Banova 2018;Osaji, Udoh and Bassey 2022;Odisu,
2015;Ikechi and Omodero, 2019).
According to Duke, Agbaji and Bassey (2017), the nexus between corruption and instability
(in national defence) is undoubtedly gaining increased attention as evidenced in the
allegations against Nigerian senior military officers who have been bribed to turn a blind eye to
Boko Haram or to short change the military by providing substandard military material. In
this vein, the poor state of security in Nigeria occasioned by the penetration of crises and the
corrupt way of handling or theft of military appropriations is a bane to effectively curb
terrorism. This reveals thorough systemic failures and frustrates the military's efforts of
attaining national security demands. A report by the United State under Secretary of State for
Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights, Sarah Sewall, said categorically that
corruption is hampering Nigeria's efforts at ending insurgency in the North East. A case in
point is the theft of funds appropriated to the defence sector for combating terrorism in
Nigeria. As efforts to curtail the sting of Boko Haram terrorism, the defence budget jumped
from 100 billion naira ($625 million) in 2010 to 927 billion ($6 billion) in 2011 and 1 trillion ($6.
25 billion) in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Another case is $2. 1 million Arms scandal popularly called
Dansukigate: involving the former National Security Adviser (NSA), (Rtd) col. Sambo Dasuki
and other top military officers and politicians. The defence sector corruption in the form of
embezzling funds meant to combat Boko Haram insurgency has seen $15 billion stolen,
leaving the military bereft of vital equipment, insufficiently trained, low morale and under
resourced, (Duke, Agbaji and Bassey 2017).
The financial theft in the defense sector, have adversely affected the prosecution of the counter
insurgency. The young Frontline military officers have decried of inadequate financial
resources, to acquire more sophisticated military equipment, that would not only match, but
suppress the artilleries of Boko Haram. This has made the Boko Haram gain superiority in
confronting the Nigerian military in pitch battles, ambushing and surprise attack at military
bases, killing, maiming, burning down military vehicles and carting away weapons. The
Premium Times of 2014 buttress this point further thus: the level of corruption leading to poor
incentives, inadequate equipment, making frontline men to be vulnerable to attacks, killed
their morale and bred a rebellious and insurbodinated attitude that prompted mutiny. The
mutiny saw the court marshaling of about eighteen (18) soldiers. Soldiers the 7 division of the
Nigeria Army in Maiduguri were also court marshaled and sentence accordingly for protesting
the insensitivity of superior officers to their safety in the operations against Boko Haram
insurgency. Twelve of them were sentenced to death by firing squad and six others would serve
varying prisons terms according to the degree of involvement in the mutiny. Another set of 54
th
members of the armed forces attached to the 7 Division were also court marshaled on the 17
of December 2014. They were found guilty for conspiring to commit mutiny against authority
th
of the 7 Division on August 4 2014 by refusing to join the 111 (one hundred and eleven)
special forces Battalion troops to recapture Delva, Bulabulin and Damboa in Borno State from
the Boko Haram (Premium Times, 2014 in Umaru 2017).
page | 242
The level of corruption and the attitude of war entrepreneurs, as regards the Boko Haram
insurgency is a thorny one. This has made many observers to doubt if the war against Boko
Haram would end soon, if it won't get even more deadlier to the point of Boko Haram
overrunning the entire military of the Nation. The war entrepreneurs are those unpatriotic,
selfish, demonic and inhumane Nigerians (top politicians, military officers and their civilian
collaborators) who benefits from the ongoing war of recouping cash as the war prolong. Thus
for instance, there has been huge amount of monies in the name of security votes given to those
states suffering Boko Haram onslaught. As the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,
gives every state security votes, those affected by Boko Haram receives more than other
peaceful states. Also, the monies voted for weapons acquisition to purchase more
sophisticated weapons, intelligence gadgets, etc are squandered by war contractors, whom are
Nigerians. This criminalistic attitudes ends up frustrating these officers who are at the war
front fighting Boko Haram:their morale is weak as they don't have enough arms, even
essentials as bullets, no logistics in terms of food, money, incentives, etc, The frontline men are
left with nothing to withstand Boko Haram, as they are killed, attacked, ambushed on daily
basis, weapons seized. The fall out of all this irresponsible and unpatriotic attitude of the
managers of the Nigerian state and corrupt military officials who misappropriate defense
spending affects human security. Thus as Ediege, Duke and Bassey (2021) rightly opined the
fourth republic Nigeria has been enmashed in a slippery hollow of insecurity that affects the
safety, security and wellbeing of ordinary citizens. Human security as eloquently captured by
Ebaye, Duke and Bassey (2021) has gone beyond military threats such as war, conflict, arms
race, etc. issues of Non-military threats such as food/hunger, poor hygiene, disease, internally
displacement, that surfaces as a result of Boko Haram attack have continue to ravage the
country. Same issues of human security in terms of hunger, loss of jobs, unemployment,
human rights suppression and abuse during Covid-19 pandemic as states, including Nigeria
observed the Covid-19 preventive measures geared towards curbing the spread of Covid-19.
Coping with insecurity of such magnitude from terrorism and other agents of death it's a
daunting task.
Ogbuehi (2018) opined that, corruption in the defense sector, for fighting Boko Haram
insurgency has taken many forms, deceit-the government of president Buhari have in many
occasions, claimed they have defeated Boko Haram. But the reality on ground counters such
false claims, even as informed by the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2017. The involvement of
top political office holders like the here is need to cast our minds back to the killing of Alhaji
Buji Foi, an alleged Boko-Haram sponsor who was executed 24 hours after the sect's founder
Mohammad Yusuf was executed. Surprisingly, Foi had served in various capacities as a public
officer which includes being a two-time local government chairman in Borno and the
Commissioner responsible for religious affairs in the first tenure of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff
(SAS) as the Governor of Borno state. Though it wasn't clear what his grouse were, he
succeeded in using his position in the state to provide shelter and other comfort for members of
Boko-Haram sect. Sometime in 2012 Chief of Army staff General Azubike Ihejirika (rtd),
Senator Ali Modi Sheriff and unknown senior officer of the Central Bank of Nigeria were
implicated as being complicit in the operations of Boko Haram sect. This was revealed by Dr.
Steven Davis-an independent negotiator who claimed that the chief sponsors of the sect are
page | 243
politicians who channel their funds through Central Bank of Nigeria to give such unholy
financial deal a legitimate posture. But these allegations were dismissed by the Jonathan
administration and seen as a play to blackmail. But the case of Modi Shariff's involvement
resurfaced again as was presented by a former commissioner for Justice and Attorney General
of Borno State who accused Sheriff of being a core sponsor of Boko Haram. Reasons the
Chief Judge accused Yusuf, was his refusal for the release of Boko Haram's first captured
leaders while he was under prison study. He, Sheriff feared that, if terrorist was released, he
would have confessed and revealed things that might implicated Sheriff. Another worrisome
issue was the squandering of money meant to fight Boko Horam by senior military officers.
This ends up frustrating the efforts and jeopardizing the welfare of the frontline officers. Some
soldiers in the war front, severally decried of 50% slash in their salaries, poor feeding,
insufficient drinking water. One of the Police officers in Nigeria's North East once told the
Voice of America that they were meant to confront the insurgent who were in possession of
1000 bullets on daily basis, while the Nigerian side had just 30 bullets, (Ogbuehi, 2018).
The international dimension of the war on terrorism also emerged. United States on several
occasion refused assisting in fighting the insurgency, claiming that Nigeria is not sincere as the
country refused to probe an unnamed service chief of Nigeria implicated in money laundry in
the United States. Another case was there outright seizure of 3. 9 million meant for arms
procurement by South African Board Authorities and a subsequent seizure by South Africa of
5. 7 million transferred by Societe D' Equipment's Internationale of Nigeria to South Africa
Arms Company, Cerberus Risk Solutions for same procurement of arms is still in Public
domain. Though these funds were later released, but not after due process according to South
African authorities. The occasioned delay in the release constituted a major setback in the
counter insurgency campaign, which underscored Governor Kashim Shettima's claim that
Boko Haram is more equipped and motivated than Nigeria troops. The corruption also
affected the welfare of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). There are cases of petitions
against the Director General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and
public hearings instituted by the House of Representative Committee on Emergency and
Disaster Preparedness where it was revealed that there was over Five Billion (N5, 000, 000,
000) contract scandal under the management of current DG NEMA Mailiaja. He is presently
responding to allegations at the time of this write-up of how he expended over four hundred
million-naira (400, 000, 000) remurrage on donated Chinese Rice. He was also accused of
awarding contracts to fake companies that are not qualified for business in Nigeria which
included N1. 6bn flood victims fund for 16 states and N3. 1bn food intervention for victims of
Boko Haram in North-East. The misappropriation of security votes accrued to the 36 states
governors of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Transparency International Report reveals
that security votes totaling over 670 million annually. At the Federal level, the number of
security votes tucked into the federal budget increased from about thirty in 2016 to over 190 in
2018 and their total value increased from N9. 3 billion ($46. 2 million) to N18. 4 billion ($51
million). Despite such increment in adhoc defense spending since 2011, operations in the
North East remain hampered by equipment machinery and pay shortages. All these issues kill
the morale of the soldiers, coupled with the continuous sabotage in information leaking to
Boko Haram so as they give the group when to avoid being attacked while giving them the
advantage on when and how to ambush Nigerian soldiers (Ogbuehi 2018).
page | 244
The above analysis, clearly demonstrates the issues revolving around the counter insurgency
campaign in Nigeria. The Boko Haram conflict is on side of the many protracted security
challenge wreaking devastating harvoc on the country socially, politically, environmentally,
health etc. The Boko Haram insurgency an hybrid challenge with different coloration, this:
attempt at islamization of the Nigerian State through seizure and brutal force, killing
maiming, kidnappings for ransom, attack at military bases, farmlands, schools, churches,
national infrastructures, etc. The issue of politicizing Boko Haram insurgency it's another area
of national disturbance. It has an international repercussion as the country is included in
nations that are candidates of failed-state. This is so as the Nigerian State with it's security,
defence and military architecture seems fallible and incapable of defeating Boko Haram. The
politicizing of counter insurgency has helped prolong the fight due to the monstrous and
barbaric local war enterprenurs in the military, bureaucracy, political class, who turned the
issue into a money making venture by collecting huge billions for prosecuting the war and in
the name of "security votes". Despite huge monies expended in counter Boko Haram, the
problem gets more sophisticated on daily basis.
Conclusion
The violent upsurge in Boko Haram insuegency has taken a deadly proportion whereby the
military and security agencies with their personnels have become targets. These are men who
signed to prptect the nation by sacrificing their lives for the existence and sustainability of the
nation in protecting lives and properties. They have become endangered species in the hands
of clandestine criminal networks who exhibit extreme audacity and bravery in challenging th
Nigerian state which is supposed to be the sole monopoly over the coercive instrument of
violence. We see on several occasions where the Nigerian military and security personnels are
ambushed and killed helplessly. one start wondering the sort of intelligence and military might
this criminal syndicates have.
The Nigerian military is seen as a stumbling block to the realization of the Boko Haram's goal,
hence their attack and possible annihilation. Making it seems possible for Boko Haram to
always ramp up Nigerian military, are factors like corruption in defence and security
appropriation, leakage of intelligence and information in favour of Boko Haram, poor
motivation and logistical tools on the part of Nigerian Military and security. The manner at
which defence appropriation is done is bereft of transparency, accountability and adequate
parliamentary oversight.
With such an unfavorable atmosphere of performance, there is little or no hope for the
Nigerian State with it's security and defence apparatus to successfully defeat boko Haram. The
audacity and bravery exhibited by Boko Haram it's not be undermined. The invading of the
Kuje prison in Abuja, on 5th July, 2022 is a good example of such bravery. Udegbunam and
Adenekan, (2022) opined that, the spokesperson of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS),
Umar Abubakar, on Wednesday, said over 400 of the escaped inmates have been recaptured
while 443 are still at large. Another 16 inmates who sustained various degrees of injuries are
receiving treatment. The terrorists, using high explosives and guns, breached the facility,
leading to the escape of over 800 of the 994 inmates on Tuesday night of 5th July, 2022.
page | 245
PREMIUM TIMES reported that an NSCDC officer was killed during the attack while four
inmates were also killed. The spokesperson of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Umar
Abubakar, on Wednesday, said over 400 of the escaped inmates have been recaptured while
443 are still at large. Another 16 inmates who sustained various degrees of injuries are
receiving treatment.
Recommendations
There should be a rethink on the counter insurgency campaign in terms of needs. Thus all
necessary requirements from weaponry, logistics, material foods, gadgets in information
technology, tracking devices, surveillance, financial motivations, etc. The Nigerian State from
realities on ground, have busmen budgeting enough for defence and security sector geards
towards a formidable and effective counter insurgency, yet no reasonable results have been
achieved.
Strict monitoring and parliamentary oversight on defence spending. this is one loophole in the
Nigerian Defence administration. This is due to the unnecessary secrecy that shrouds the
entire defence dealings. It ends up opening room for top bureaucrats, defence planners, top
military brass and politicians to loot money with impunity. The worst is after such unholy
usage of defence money, arrest is made and sooner such issue disappears into thin air. The
Nigerian State us yet to frontally tackle issues of corruption, financial graft, misappropriation
of national wealth.
Investing in technological advancement that guarantees apt and accurate intelligence
gathering it's necessary. The issue of information gathering should go sophisticated as terrorist
and other criminal networks are taking advantage of revolution in communication and
information technology to advance their nefarious deeds. Government should be ready to
invest heavily with appropriate agencies and individuals who are sincere in contracting and
purchasing such devises. The country is already bleeding financially due to stealing in all
ramifications including massive crude oil theft, debts, high cost of governance in maintaining
Government officials, and other unholy acts perpetrated by politicians and elites. So, stealing
from defense appropriation meant to fight terrorism and crimes breaks the country more.
page | 246
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