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In recent months, Nigeria has witnessed a significant escalation in the fight against terrorism, particularly in the northern regions where the military has intensified its operations against insurgent groups such as Boko Haram, ISWAP (Islamic State in West Africa Province), and bandits. This military onslaught has forced many terrorists to flee their strongholds, seeking refuge in the South and other parts of the country.
In response to this emerging threat, the South-West governors have taken proactive measures to secure their region and prevent the infiltration of these fleeing terrorists. However, the same cannot be said for the South-East, where the governors appear to be lagging in their response to this national security challenge. This raises the critical question: Are the South-East governors fiddling while the region faces a potential security threat?
The South-West Governors’ Proactive Approach:
The South-West region, comprising states like Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Ekiti, has long been a target for criminal elements due to its economic significance and comparatively stable environment. Recognizing the danger posed by fleeing terrorists from the North, the governors of these states have teamed up and taken decisive steps to fortify their borders and enhance security.
The South-West governors have taken some strategic measures like strengthening their regional security outfit, Amotekun’s operations, deploying personnel to border communities, forests and increasing intelligence-gathering efforts.
The South-West governors have also maintained a close working relationship with the Nigerian Police, the military, and the Department of State Services (DSS). This collaboration has facilitated the seamless sharing of intelligence and the coordination of joint operations to track and apprehend suspected terrorists.
Recognizing the importance of local intelligence, the governors have also engaged traditional rulers, community leaders, and residents in the fight against terrorism. This grassroots approach has helped to identify and report suspicious activities, making it harder for terrorists to blend into communities.
Furthermore, the South-West governors have increased surveillance at entry points into the region, including highways, forests, and waterways. This has involved the use of technology such as drones and CCTV cameras, as well as the deployment of security personnel to man checkpoints.
The Lagging Response of The Sout-East Governors
In contrast to the South-West, the South-East region, comprising Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states, appears to be less prepared to address the threat of fleeing terrorists. While the region has its own security challenges, including the activities of separatist groups like the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the governors have yet to demonstrate the same level of urgency and coordination as their South-West counterparts.
Key concerns include:
i. Lack of a Unified Regional Security Strategy:
Unlike the South-West, which has Amotekun, the South-East lacks a cohesive regional security framework. Efforts to establish a similar outfit, such as the proposed “Ebubeagu,” have been marred by diverging interests, lack of funding, and political disagreements among the governors.
ii. Overreliance on Federal Security Agencies:
The South-East governors have largely depended on federal security agencies to address the region’s security challenges. However, these agencies beside not being under the direct control of the region, are often overstretched and under-resourced, limiting their flexibility and effectiveness in tackling the threat of fleeing terrorists trying to infiltrate the region.
iii. Political Tensions and Distractions:
The South-East has been embroiled in political tensions, particularly surrounding the agitation for Biafra and the federal government’s response. These tensions have diverted attention and resources away from addressing the immediate security threat that could be posed by fleeing terrorists.
iv. Weak Community Engagement:
While some South-East governors have made efforts to engage local communities, these initiatives have been inconsistent and underfunded, especially where it concerns some of the hardly resident Governors of the region who often unavailable for such strategic interaction. As a result, many communities remain vulnerable to infiltration by terrorists and other criminal elements.
The Implications of Inaction
The failure of the South-East governors to take decisive action against the threat of fleeing terrorists could have dire consequences for the region. Terrorists, seeking new bases of operation, could exploit the region’s security gaps to establish cells, recruit members, and carry out attacks. This would not only exacerbate the region’s existing security challenges but also undermine efforts to achieve lasting peace and stability.
Moreover, the South-East’s economic and social development could be severely impacted. Investors, already wary of the region’s security situation, may be further deterred, leading to job losses and a decline in economic activity. The region’s reputation as a hub for commerce and industry could also be tarnished, with long-term consequences for its growth and prosperity.
Way forward:
The South-East governors must learn from the proactive approach of their South-West counterparts and take immediate steps to address the threat of fleeing terrorists. Key recommendations include:
1. Establish a Regional Security Outfit: The South-East governors should prioritize the establishment of a well-funded and equipped regional security outfit, similar to Amotekun, to complement the efforts of federal security agencies.
2. Enhance Intelligence-Gathering and Sharing:
The governors should invest in intelligence-gathering capabilities and establish a regional intelligence-sharing mechanism to track and apprehend suspected terrorists.
3. Strengthen Border Security: The governors should increase surveillance and control at entry points into the region, including highways, forests, and waterways, to prevent the infiltration of terrorists.
4. Engage Local Communities: The governors should work closely with traditional rulers, community leaders, and residents to build trust and encourage the reporting of suspicious activities.
5. Foster Regional Collaboration: The South-East governors should collaborate with their counterparts in other regions, as well as federal security agencies, to develop a coordinated response to the threat of terrorism.
6. Set up a central Command and Control Centre:The South-East Governors should set up a central Command and Control Centre for intelligence gathering and processing; emergency response and operations execution. This centre should be a hi-tech security fortress that maps and covers all the region and particularly flash point via the use of technology and supervised boots on ground.
Last Line:
The fight against terrorism requires a collective and proactive approach, with all regions of Nigeria playing their part. While the South-West governors have demonstrated leadership and foresight in mobilizing against fleeing terrorists, the South-East governors must rise to the occasion and take decisive action to secure their region. The time to act is now.
