Officers\’ Lives Matter

Security agents have become targets of extreme attacks by non-state actors across Nigeria. For example, on Friday 26th November 2021, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the Fugar division of Edo State police command, CSP Ibrahim Ishaq, was kidnapped. Similarly, a report by This Day states that two officers of the Nigerian Police Force were allegedly murdered in the most gruesome manner by members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

Almost every region is faced with this challenge. In Borno State, the Commander of a Nigerian Army Special Forces team, a Brigadier-General, was reportedly shot dead in an ambush by terrorists of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP). A news report lists four soldiers as victims at Bulguma in Askira Uba Local Government Area. Data from the Nextier SPD Violent Conflict Database shows that between July 2020 and October 2021, 554 security agents have been killed in violent attacks in Nigeria.

The attacks are coming on the heels of debates around Nigeria\’s overstretched security forces. While the United Nations recommend policeman for every 450 citizens, in Nigeria, the ratio is 1 to 538 with Nigeria\’s population of approximately 200 million. Population growth and escalating internal security will continue to deepen security threats. Overstretched security institutions mean efficiency levels are likely affected, and human security risks are unaddressed. Given the already inadequate numbers, Nigeria cannot afford to lose more lives, including security agents.

The government recently launched efforts to improve the relationship between security agents and communities. On 11th October 2021, President Buhari announced a community policing take-off grant of ₦13.3 billion. This grant will boost efforts towards strengthening national security. However, while this may be laudable, it may not be sufficient to resolve the challenges security forces presently face. Besides the arduous task of securing lives and properties, the challenge of covering ungoverned spaces exists for Nigeria\’s security forces. Often the epicentres of conflicts are in challenging terrains like mountains, forests and rural settlements with low government presence.

Ensuring increased protection for security forces will require innovative and holistic approaches to maintaining law and order. The government and key stakeholders should facilitate communications between security agents, stakeholders and citizens. This will help highlight gaps in the country\’s security architecture and encourage citizens\’ input in developing a robust policing structure.

The government should encourage civil-military relations to enhance intelligence gathering and inclusivity. In addition, the government must capture the buy-in of relevant stakeholders to foster stronger ties between the Police and citizens. This synergy will ensure that citizens regard security agents as integral members critical to maintaining peace in society.  Government should facilitate regular and specialised training for security agencies to upscale their skill-set and ensure their alertness and agility in discharging their duties. This will equip security agents for complex and dynamic security threats. The Nigerian security operatives are both victims of insecurity and protectors of the Nigerian state.