By Lawrence Bilal Audu
The need for a more robust non-kinetic approach in the fight against insurgency and other security challenges in the country has been advocated as the most acceptable global practice. Former Chief of Army Staff and former Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai Rtd, who made the call Monday in Maiduguri at the 1st International Conference on Insecurity, Reconstruction, Resettlement and Rehabilitation in the Lake Chad Region, equally advocated for the reformation, training and equipping of the Police to combat emerging internal strife.
Ambassador Buratai averred that, if the Police are properly positioned and motivated with a good welfare package, in addition to an increase in the number, they would be able to cope with emerging threats. “If we followed the UN standard of 400 citizens to a policeman, you’d see a great difference, but with what we have, you discover that our capacity is still way below standard. We also recommend an increase in the strength of the Armed Forces because the challenges back in the 60s and 70s are not the same now as they have evolved. We need more aggressive action to secure our borders and defend our territorial integrity.” He noted that although the insurgency has been contained to a large extent, a lot is still undone.
In his submission, Prof Daud Abdallah of the Middle East Monitor MEMO, the insurgency in the Lake Chad Basin has been caused by persistent unresolved grievances, hence the radicalization. He observed that the crisis has persisted this long due to the absence of good governance. He further called for justice, and social and political inclusion while respecting the dignity of all. Organised by the Department of History and Strategic Studies, University of Maiduguri, the conference aims to evaluate the impact of the Boko Haram conflict in the Lake Chad Region as well as set the tone for a post-conflict era in the region.