Counter-terrorism: Stakeholders Seek Synergy Among Political Leaders

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s security sector have re-emphasised the need for cooperation between the political class and security agencies to tackle the menace of terrorism in the country.

The stakeholders made their position known in Abuja recently at a one-day seminar on fighting terrorism in Nigeria, organised by the National Defense College.

Speaking at the event, the Deputy British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Giles Lever, said even the political direction in the fight against terrorism required greater collaboration among public actors.

He urged the political leadership not to lose sight of the fact that harnessing the energies of the various security agencies would be key to winning the battle against terrorism in the country.

The deputy British High Commissioner said that entrenching the principles of good governance and the Rule of Law could go a long way in addressing the fundamental problems associated with terrorism.

“This is the only way in which the legitimate authority of the country can establish themselves in the eyes of the population as the legitimate representatives of the popular interest and strip away legitimacy from the terrorists.”

Lever said that government must also strive to stop terrorist groups from spreading their ideologies to the local population.

He said that spreading their ideologies to the local population often times give them undue advantage by making the people sympathetic to their cause.

He assured that the British Government would continue to assist Nigeria in the fight against terrorism.

On his part, the British Defence Adviser in Nigeria, Colonel James Hall, said that self-criticism of a nation’s military strategy was critical to the success of the counter terrorism operation.

He said that political angles to the problems could only be tackled politically while more dangerous and military issues could be addressed using military force.

Hall said that the authorities must, however, be mindful of the strategies of the insurgents which could be to provoke government forces into making avoidable mistakes.

Earlier, Commandant of the College, Rear Admiral Thomas Lokoson, said that damages caused by the Boko Haram sect on the nation’s economy and social life underscored the need for all agencies of government to work in harmony to defeat it.

Lokoson said that reports from the seminar would be useful in the ongoing efforts at defeating the menace of terrorism in Nigeria.

The NUJ national President, Mr Mohammed Garba, in his paper, advocated for improved training of Journalists in the coverage of frontline issues.

Garba, who was represented by the first National Vice President of the union, Mr Gbenga Onaiyega, said that the persistent violence in parts of the country has continued to expose Journalists to dangers of armed conflicts in the country.