PAGE 12 — SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 12, 2020 Why in<strong>security</strong> won’t go yet – Stan-Labo, ex-Chief <strong>of</strong> Staff, Nigerian Army Continued from page 11 negotiate with bandits. He who wears the shoe feels it. It’s easier to criticise such development from the comfort <strong>of</strong> our bedrooms, asking the moral question. When human lives are involved in situations as this, you negotiate your way out and stop playing the hero. Even the governments <strong>of</strong> the western world, who are proponents <strong>of</strong> non-negotiation, engage in it. The U.S. negotiated regularly with the Talibans in Afghanistan. The British government negotiated with IRA; nearly every tough nation in the world has had to negotiate under difficult times. The execution <strong>of</strong> some Christians by ISWAP in December shows that terrorism continues to be a big challenge despite government efforts. What’s your view? Due to fear <strong>of</strong> being criticised, the Nigerian government shied away from negotiating the release <strong>of</strong> the 11 Christians who were executed by ISWAP terrorists. This has earned government bad publicity. If Leah Sharibu gets killed, it would have severe consequences for the political future <strong>of</strong> the ruling party. Is there really corruption in the military, and if there is, what is the cause? Corruption is gradually gaining momentum in the military because <strong>of</strong> the level <strong>of</strong> neglect veterans are going through in the hands <strong>of</strong> politicians. Over 14 months’ backlog <strong>of</strong> owed pension arrears, poor NHIS arrangement that do not avail them 100 percent coverage on health care, leaving out all cases having to do with internal organs: Lung, heart, liver and kidney among others. The average veteran today spends nearly half his pension on drugs. Meanwhile, these are ailments sustained while in service or on operations. Today, he is abandoned to his fate. In the U.S, President Trump just approved in December 2019 salary and pension increment in which military pensioners (veterans) topped the chart. By January 15th, the routine ritual <strong>of</strong> promises and lies would be told to the world <strong>of</strong> how Nigerian veterans are catered for. This is unfortunate. Arising from government claim that Boko Haram has been degraded, there are plans to withdraw troops deployed in some areas across the nation in 2020, but some governors are opposed to the arrangement. Going by what you see, do you think the time is right to withdraw troops? The announcement by government to withdraw troops from some parts <strong>of</strong> the country considered safe is a welcome development. Such a pull-out exercise would be a boost to the military generation effort in meeting with manpower deficit in the North-East. Secondly, it would reduce the presence and visibility <strong>of</strong> the military in public. Thirdly, it will position the military properly to play its role as the second line <strong>security</strong> on internal <strong>security</strong> matters while the police remain the lead agency. However, the pull out exercise should be done with the certainty that these parts <strong>of</strong> the country are adequately safe for citizens. The reactions and observations so far generated by the affected communities and state governments should be looked into thoroughly. The fears <strong>of</strong> these affected communities must be allayed. If the people affected don’t feel safe enough to remain in their localities, it could further aggravate the IDP situation in the country. We must be certain that the pullout does not attract the resumption <strong>of</strong> kidnapping, cattle rustling and other forms <strong>of</strong> banditry hitherto witnessed. The fear is that the police may not be able to cope in the volatile areas if troops are withdrawn…? The pull-out by the military gives way for full <strong>security</strong> control <strong>of</strong> these areas by the civil authority, the police. It is, therefore, hoped that the Nigeria Police has the required strength to man these locations. It is also taken for granted that the planning and preparatory stage for this exercise did involve the police. To further deepen the effectiveness <strong>of</strong> the police on ground, it is advised that community policing be put in place in these areas immediately as they move in. This is a 21st century policing method that comes with a high level <strong>of</strong> community integration and endorsement. The FG said Boko Haram has been degraded, but they still make deadly attacks and there are reports that the group’s fighters still occupy some areas in the North-East. Should we believe Success is measured by your ability to assure and convince the locals to remain in their localities and go about their businesses and private lives safely government claim? As for withdrawal <strong>of</strong> the military from parts <strong>of</strong> the North-East presently considered safe, I differ with the authorities or government completely. In conventional warfare, your effectiveness or success is partly measured by the number <strong>of</strong> territories you are able to reclaim from the enemy force. To achieve your aim, you must strive to maintain a manpower ratio <strong>of</strong> 3 to1 against the enemy. However, in asymmetric or nonconventional warfare which we are presently engaged in, success is measured by your ability to assure and convince the locals to remain in their localities and go about their businesses and private lives safely. You can only achieve this if you have the numerical strength on ground to infest the location with troops (both uniformed and plain clothes embedded component). The doctrine recommends a density <strong>of</strong> no less than 35 to 1, 000 population. The question is, do we have this density <strong>of</strong> men on ground in the North-East? Have we thoroughly infested the entire North-East with troops and allayed the fears <strong>of</strong> the ordinary man in the village? The answer can only be measured in the number <strong>of</strong> returnees from IDP camps. Citizens can only feel safe today in this area with the presence <strong>of</strong> troops. No amount <strong>of</strong> talking or re-assurance <strong>of</strong> safety can decongest the IDP camps if boots are not on ground, not even the presence <strong>of</strong> the police. The Nigerian Army has performed so creditably well under its present leadership such that enough confidence is already being reposed on them in the local communities where they operate. Our force generation effort in the North- East should therefore be pushed with additional vigour. Wedding Fatiha <strong>of</strong> Nuhu Ribadu’s sons The wedding Fatiha <strong>of</strong> the sons <strong>of</strong> a former Chairman <strong>of</strong> the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Nuhu Ribadu, took place in Abuja yesterday. Faces at the occasion as captured by Gbemiga Olamikan From left: Alh. Aliko Dangote,President Dangote Group; Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, groom’s father, and Mr. Kayode Komolafe, Deputy Managing Director Thisday Newspapers. From left: Mr. Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government <strong>of</strong> the Federation; Aminu Bello Masari, Governor <strong>of</strong> Katsina State;Senator Ibikunle Amosun; Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President <strong>of</strong> Nigeria; Vice President Pr<strong>of</strong>. Yemi Osinbajo; Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tiunbu, APC National Leader; and Alh. Abba Kyari, Chief <strong>of</strong> Staff to President Buhari among others. From left: Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, Mr. Kayode Komolafe, Regional Editor <strong>of</strong> the Nation Newspapers, Mr. Yusuf Ali; Mr. Yusuf Olaniyonu and EFCC Secretary, Mr. Ola Olukoye.
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