Nigeria’s Military Chief Warns of Single-Agency Failure in Face of Security Challenges

As Nigeria grapples with widespread security issues, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff, has emphasized that no single agency can overcome the challenges independently. Addressing the Institute of Peace and Strategic Studies (IPSS) at the University of Ibadan on Friday, Lagbaja stressed the need for coordination and collaboration among security agencies to combat national security threats.

According to Lagbaja, the twin problems of poverty and unemployment are driving forces behind the nation’s security challenges. With over 54% of the population below the age of 35, comprising approximately 229 million citizens, the country faces an unprecedented youth bulge with a significant portion of whom are unemployed. This situation makes them susceptible to recruitment by criminal organizations and non-state actors.

The General Officer Commanding 2-Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Obinna Onubogu, represented Lagbaja at the event. He underscored the importance of synergy among security agencies, noting that while some progress has been made in communication and cooperation, more needs to be achieved.

Lagbaja emphasized that counter-insurgency operations require collaboration and coordination among agencies to plan, share intelligence, and execute operations effectively. "Where synergy is lacking, there can never be a coordinated approach to the prevailing security challenge," he added.

The Chief of Army Staff’s warning highlights the urgent need for a collaborative approach to addressing Nigeria’s security concerns. By focusing on the twin problems of poverty and unemployment, Lagbaja’s remarks reinforce the importance of addressing long-term insecurity and instability.