Why Insurgency, Terrorism can never be entirely fought by any Govt, but through non-military approach
By Comrade Musa Ali Maishanu
President Buhari should note that fighting insurgency and terrorism through military aspects is like stopping fire-fighters from fighting ‘fire-out-break’- Maishanu.
Insurgency and terrorism can never be entirely fought by any government in Nigeria or outside Nigeria through military aspects. But it could be combated through non-military aspects by any government.
As mentioned above, insurgency and terrorism are multi-dimensional and multi-faceted phenomena encompassing socio-economic, ideological, religious and political aspects.
Dealing with them requires profound understanding of the underlying factors. A multi-dimensional and result-oriented strategy is required in order to understand and counter-insurgencies.
Generally, most of Nigerian governments counter-insurgency efforts have failed to produce the desired results. That happens because nigerian governments under the watch of President Muhammadu Buhari take on the issue without attempting to dig into their causes or understanding the socio-economic, political and cultural specificities of the north east region without first exhausting political or non-military aspects fully. That reflects their (Nigerian governments) lack of insight in dealing with the issue.
Applying severe counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism measures through military aspects leads to negative consequences. Using the tough approach with insurgents and terrorists who may have genuine concerns and objectives, may lead to unpleasant results. In fact, “the tougher the means the nigerian government uses, the stronger the insurgency and terrorism becomes.”
It does not make any sense to ignore the option of negotiation through non-military aspects and seek to create a false sense of the nigerian government’s strength. Such tactics may force the insurgents and terrorists to resort to different forms of violent and murderers’ means to achieve their legitimate or illegitimate objectives; and at a later stage the matter can get out of control. That’s what is about to happen in Nigeria!
On the other hand, a mellow or compromising stand by the Nigerian government can also produce negative results, that is because insurgents and terrorists begin to take Nigerian state power for granted and become emboldened and more demanding, exploiting flexible gestures by the Nigerian government. That encourage more frustrated nigerian people to join the insurgency and terrorism.
The situation reflects that neither purely harsh measure or an extremely severe military aspects to counter an insurgency and terrorism could not work. But an effective response to insurgency and terrorism through non-military aspects can work.
The use of both the non-military aspect carrots and suitable counter-insurgency campaign is imperative to produce the desired results and to bring an acceptable end to the insurgency and terrorism without much damage and loss.
But, the so-called APC led-administration under the watch of President Muhammadu Buhari refused to apply it. However, the success and failure of any counter-insurgency campaign or counter-terrorism operations depends upon the manner of conducting the campaign, particularly its timing.
A successful counter-insurgency campaign must take into account the socio-economic and political conditions of the nigerian geographical zones where the insurgency and terrorism takes place, as well as its People.
The non-military aspects by nigerian government to an insurgency and terrorism should be devised considering the failures of military aspect campaigns under the watch of President Muhammadu Buhari.
It Should also regard the extent to which the general population perceives the objectives to be legitimate and be cautious of damaging the social, economic and political standing of the leading insurgents and terrorists. Any disinformation, misinformation, misunderstanding or ignorance can lead to drastic consequences.
“The so-called nigerian government should note that the idea of using non-military aspects to counter the insurgency and terrorism through the use of grassroots organized forces is suitable. Because these approaches prove adequate to the situation and the problem can be managed in this way. Therefore, the threat is eliminated, or eradicated to a broadly acceptable level; its sources are nipped in the bud”.
Also, the so-called nigerian government should note that it is common knowledge of counter-insurgency campaign through non-military aspects that many wars fought by the people have won because the government either failed or refused to look at the seriousness of the challenge, and Many times “people can be the most destructive of all military forces”. It would be wiser to devise and pursue a counter-strategy of a more subtle and far-seeing kind”.
To deal with insurgency and terrorism in Nigeria, Nigerian governments should adopt a non-military strategy. To begin with, nigerian governments should develop an awareness of their own limits and powers.
Nigerian governments should also be sensitive about their international image and must bear in mind the concerns of the international community. They should demonstrate a cognisance of and commitment to International laws.
Counter-insurgency and Counter-terrorism operations should not violate International community. For the effectiveness a success of counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in Nigeria, it is imperative that it should be supported and endorsed by the international community and Civil rights, human rights and pan-African organizations. Otherwise, it will gather International condemnation and criticism and perhaps even punitive measures or sanctions.
Moreover, nigerian governments attempting counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations should gather authentic information about the short-and long-term objectives of the insurgents and terrorists, as well as their ability or capacity to achieve these objectives. Such an understanding of insurgency and terrorism is always needed for an effective strategy the Nigerian government must be aware of the social,cultural and political milieu of the region where insurgents and terrorists operate. Not making efforts in that direction may lead to irreparable loss for the government and its Citizens.
Finally, I could remember vividly that it was Mr. Hafiz Rigim that gave a wrong advice on boko-haram to late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua by advising him to deal with them very severely while at preparation stage to the extent that their extreme leader and some of his blindfolded followers were massacred by unprofessional security officers through extra-judicial killings and now the so-called Boko-Haram murderers are mercilessly killing innocent Nigerians. But Mr. Hafiz Rigim is no where to be found.
Written by:
Comrade Musa Ali Maishanu.
North East Regional Coordinator for Global Pan-Africanism Network Nigeria Chapter (Head of Department of Security and Intelligence).
First Published on 16th December, 2020.
