Experts Share Insights On Improving Intelligence To Deter Bandit Assaults On Military And Police....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Security and intelligence agencies in Nigeria could significantly enhance their effectiveness and responsiveness if they were shielded from political influence and given the autonomy to address matters of national importance.

Prominent security experts and former service personnel have made this assertion in the wake of the recent killing of a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) by cultists in Rivers State.

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During separate discussions with The Guardian, these experts concurred that the ambush and murder of the DPO in Rivers State serves as a distressing reminder of the extent of insecurity and may even signify a complete breakdown of the security intelligence framework.

This incident in Rivers State underscores similar incidents nationwide, where bandits, cultists, and other criminal elements have easily attacked, overrun, kidnapped, or killed Nigerian security personnel.

For instance, on May 4, 2023, gunmen killed three police officers at a checkpoint in Umunze, Orumba South local council in Anambra state. They had invaded the area and opened fire on the officers.

On February 20, 2023, gunmen attacked the Awada police station in Onitsha, Anambra State, killing two police officers and setting the station on fire. This followed an attack on the 3-3 Police Divisional Headquarters in Nkwelle-Ezunaka in the Oyi Local Council of the state, where six persons were killed.

On July 4, 2022, Assistant Commissioner of Police Aminu Umar Dayi, in charge of Dutsinma Area Command in Katsina, was ambushed and killed by bandits.

These incidents highlight a disturbing reality in Nigeria, suggesting that the intelligence system, which should detect and prevent attacks on police and military installations, may have been severely compromised or has collapsed altogether.

Dennis Amachree, a former Director of Nigeria’s secret police, lamented the rise of non-state actors like bandits, terrorists, and cultists who operate with apparent impunity, often due to their illicit ties with politicians in high positions.

He cited instances in Zamfara and Niger states where documented evidence showed leaders of bandits appearing in photos with top government officials and attending their events without fear of arrest.

Amachree urged for a review of the security infrastructure, particularly within the Nigeria Police. He suggested that decentralizing the police force could bring law enforcement closer to the grassroots, potentially ameliorating the security situation.

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Frank Oshanugor, a Certified Protective Officer, expressed deep concern over the killing of a DPO by cultists, emphasizing the need for a change in political leadership to address the prevailing issues. He pointed out that the security forces’ effectiveness is compromised by a lack of independence and a system that prioritizes loyalty to politicians over the nation.

Dr. Wilson Esangbedo, former President of Private Security Practitioners, acknowledged that ambushes can happen in policing or warfare but highlighted the importance of advance teams, surveillance, and proper funding to prevent them. He emphasized the need to enhance personnel quality and motivation.

Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, National Coordinator of Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, attributed the attack on the DPO to a progressive decline in intelligence-based policing. He stressed the importance of police reform in line with modern global standards and called for a reconsideration of current policing strategies.

Onwubiko noted issues such as widespread bribery at checkpoints and the need for Nigeria Police to adopt community-oriented policing models, in line with the Peelian principles of modern policing.

In conclusion, the experts and commentators highlighted the urgency of depoliticizing security, implementing police reforms, and adopting modern policing practices to address the rising security challenges in Nigeria effectively.