Military charged to rejig approach to combating terrorism
House of Justice has asked the Nigeria Army to rejig its approach to addressing the pressing issues of banditry and insecurity in the country in order to restore peace, sanity and safety.
This advise was given during a courtesy visit to the General Officer Commanding 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General M.L.D. Saraso, ahead of its 9th Annual Summit & Banquet.
According to Gloria Mabeiam Ballason Esq, CEO of House of Justice, the event, themed “Security, Justice and National Re-Orientation,” aims to address the pressing issue of insecurity in Nigeria seeks ways to find a lasting solution to the insecurity plaguing the nation.
“We know that this ask is not impossible. Once upon a time, terrorism and insurgency were alien to our country. Today, it has become commonplace,” Ballason said.
She emphasized the need for collective action to end the bloodshed and insecurity in Nigeria.
“Every family has either had a loved one killed, had their mother, daughter, or sister raped, their brothers recruited into insurgency, or their homes razed down.
Our cities are not safe. Our villages are not safe. The roads are not safe, our beds are sometimes our end,” she lamented.
The CEO of House of Justice also highlighted the progress made by Nigeria in combating terrorism.adding that, “ten years ago, in 2014, Nigeria was ranked by the Global Terrorism Index as the second most terrorized country, preceded only by Iraq and succeeded by Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Syria. Ten years after, in 2024, Nigeria is ranked the 8th most terrorized country out of 163 countries by the GTI,” she said.
“Most baffling is the fact that our military is highly respected in Africa and the world. Why are we finding it difficult handling these terror groups in our own country. Yes, progress is being made but despite the progress, more needs to be done to ensure the safety of citizens.”
“The armed forces and security sectors have made some progress, but we are far from safety. Revolutionary terrorism by insurgents and belligerents, sub-revolutionary terrorism by internal aggressors or establishment terrorism exemplified by violence against unarmed citizens, make it clear that we have quite some journey to make to our safe place,” she said.
Ballason also stressed the importance of character reform and the need for a national strategy to combat the ideology driving insurgency.
“Our country needs more than the 2016 National Counter Terrorism Strategy policy framework. Our country is in dire need of character reform. This business of blood diamonds by the undertakers who run it has become so apparent by the mysticism that appears to shroud it,” she said.
The GOC in his remark explained the Constitutional mandate of the Army as maintaining the territorial integrity and securing its borders from violation on land, sea, or air; suppression of insurrection and act in aid of civil authorities to restore order, when called upon to do so by the President, but subject to such conditions as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly.
He further highlighted kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to security
and projected some of the successes of the Armed forces including the release of hundreds of captives. He urged House of Justice and civil society groups to intensify engagement with relevant sectors so factors contributing to insecurity can be speedily addressed .
He applauded the work that House of Justice is doing especially the annual Summit and Banquet and said his division is invested in military -civil relations and will continue to keep their door open to meaningful engagements.
Ballason expressed hope that the summit will provide a platform for stakeholders to come together and find a lasting solution to the insecurity in Nigeria.
“When we meet on Friday, 29 November, 2024, it will not be to fix the blames; it will be to fix the problems. We owe it to ourselves to summon forth better virtues in order that we may surmount this monster,” she said.
The 9th Annual House of Justice Summit & Banquet is scheduled to hold on Friday, November 29, 2024, at the Epitome Events Centre in Kaduna, Nigeria. The event will be chaired by General Martin Luther Agwai (Rtd), Nigeria’s former Chief of Defence Staff.
