The “War Against Terrorism” is one of the most difficult wars there is. This is so because it is not a conventional war. Recent events have shown that its execution can be intractable and taxing and difficult. And there is no V-Day. In fact, one of the lessons of the post-9/11 world is that formal victory can be elusive and illusive. Several years after the United States and her allies thought they were getting a handle on Al Qaeda, here comes the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS). After Isis, what’s next and in what region of the world?
In the case of Nigeria, no one ever thought terrorism would ever become a part of its psyche and landscape. But it has! In addition to political and economic venalities, social dislocation, armed robberies, gangs and cult related issues, and ethnic and religious conflicts – we now have to deal with terrorism. Five or so years after Boko Haram first challenged authorities within its immediate proximity, it has now become a national scourge with international reputation – with its past and present leaders now part of the folklore within certain circles.
Many countries are today diligently waging war against terrorists and terrorism. They’ve been unrelenting! Terrorists and their partners are being hunted: killed or arrested and prosecuted. Their plans and cells are being disrupted. Their sources of finance and support are also being weakened. Coalitions are being formed against their networks. And countries such as the US, Canada, Britain and France are engaged in programs and plans that discourages susceptible minds from joining these nefarious organizations. The war against terrorism is, therefore, an all-encompassing effort.
But in Nigeria, things are different. In the first place, it took the local authorities several years to truly understand what was going on. And it took the Nigerian government much longer to do so. A group that was thought to be a local nuisance has turned out to be a national and international inconvenience and killing machine. Till date, the government has not marshalled a full and appropriate response: There seem not to be a concerted, intelligent and well-thought response to the group and its activities. On the surface at least, it appears the government lacks good intelligence gathering tool and system.
The agencies are there, but in terms of fighting Boko Haram and other national afflictions, these organizations seem wanting and ineffective.
For a long time, the National Security Organization (NSO) was the main intelligence body in the country. In 1986, however, General Ibrahim Babangida, the then head of state, issued Decree 19 which effectively dissolved the NSO, and in its place created three autonomous intelligence units: The Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), which is the military intelligence unit; the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), which is responsible for foreign intelligence and counterintelligence; and the State Security Service (SSS). Many Nigerians are familiar with the SSS because, over the years, it has been in the news and seen as the government’s enforcer.
In addition to the aforementioned organization, there are other semi-intelligence outfits. For instance, the Nigerian Police, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Office of the National Security Adviser, all have intelligence outfit. And even the presidency. In addition, every state in the nation has security budget and security agencies. In spite of their manpower, and in spite of the billions of naira that are yearly allocated to these agencies and outfits, Boko Haram and other violent non-state actors still operate at will.
No matter the nature and structure of the intelligence community, its primary purpose is to assist the governments in the policy and decision making process. In other words, the Nigerian security and intelligence agencies exist to assist the government in the furtherance of its domestic and foreign policy objectives – whatever those objectives might be; and whether or not they fall within the bounds of law and human decency.
With this in mind, one cannot say – or at least the evidence are not there – to suggest that the Nigerian intelligence community has been of full use, or is of complete value, to the government in its war against terrorism. Why, for instance, can’t these agencies implant their members into the leadership of Boko Haram?
Within the Nigerian setting, intelligence gathering is no longer a high-art as it once was. Technology has made it so. Recruiting spies within an organization is not rocket science. And disrupting hostile activities does not require the genius of geniuses. So, what then is the problem with the various security and intelligence agencies in Nigeria? What is the problem fighting crimes and terrorism? It couldn’t be the manpower. It couldn’t be the training. Is it the culture of these agencies, or the political will and leadership at Aso Rock?
Or perhaps there are other reasons why Boko Haram continues to outmaneuver and outsmart the Nigerian government and its various security and intelligence agencies.
Unfortunately, the leaders of these agencies, along with the president, seem to think that Boko Haram will come out of the hills and the forest and surrender. At other times, they simply pray to God – expecting the killings and the destructions to end. What’s the purpose of these agencies if they cannot limit or hamper the operation and ability of destructive organizations like Boko Haram?
Again and again, it’s been proven that there is no complete and full remedy against violent non-state actor bent on causing deaths, havoc and destruction. All such organizations need, in order to instill fear in the mind of the people or to make the government look incompetent, is one successful strike. Just one! That’s all. And frankly, different organizations and different individuals have caused deaths and destructions in the US and elsewhere.
But through it all, not many doubt the professionalism, sincere efforts and determination of the American government and its various security and intelligence organizations. Few doubt the commitment and sincerity of the US Congress and the White House in fighting terrorism. But millions of Nigerians are beginning to doubt the sincerity and commitment of the executive and legislative branches. Many more are beginning to doubt the ability and professionalism of the Nigerian security and intelligence agencies.