PAGE 12—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 26, 2020 COMMUNITY POLICING: Seven th<strong>in</strong>gs you didn’t know, by Colonel St<strong>an</strong>-Labo (ret.) • ‘Prerequisites for ch<strong>an</strong>g<strong>in</strong>g current security narratives’ The Federal Government w<strong>an</strong>ts South- West governors promot<strong>in</strong>g Amotekun to resolve <strong>in</strong>security <strong>in</strong> their states to look <strong>in</strong> the direction of community polic<strong>in</strong>g just like their counterparts <strong>in</strong> the North- Central who, last week, embraced the strategy. Colonel Hass<strong>an</strong> Khalifa St<strong>an</strong>islous-Labo (ret.), a former Head, Tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g Division, Army Peacekeep<strong>in</strong>g Centre <strong>an</strong>d Chief of Staff (Brigade level), with operational responsibility over several jo<strong>in</strong>t security platforms serv<strong>in</strong>g as the hub for coord<strong>in</strong>ation <strong>an</strong>d implementation, <strong>in</strong> a piece entitled, ‘PREREQUISITES FOR CHANGING THE CURRENT SECURITY NARRATIVES’, diagnoses community polic<strong>in</strong>g among other issues. Descent Despite concerted efforts by the military <strong>an</strong>d law enforcement agencies, the prevail<strong>in</strong>g security situation <strong>in</strong> the country cont<strong>in</strong>uous to suffer a progressive degeneration <strong>an</strong>d sl<strong>an</strong>t that leaves the impression of a national descent <strong>in</strong>to <strong>an</strong>archy. The additional burden of abductions, kidnapp<strong>in</strong>g, b<strong>an</strong>ditry, cattle rustl<strong>in</strong>g, herdsmen <strong>an</strong>d farmers clashes has further exacerbated the challenges of <strong>in</strong>ternal security with a nation-wide spread. This unacceptable security situation calls for some ‘out-of-the-box’ th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> search of solutions to unravel the mystery beh<strong>in</strong>d these developments. In l<strong>in</strong>e with this thought, Five (5) major imperatives would need to be quickly addressed amongst other compell<strong>in</strong>g actions. These are: a. Fund<strong>in</strong>g. b. M<strong>an</strong>power. c. Equipment / Logistics. d . Tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g. e . Welfare. FUNDING Fund<strong>in</strong>g of the National Security/Defence Sector c<strong>an</strong>not be left exclusively to the national budget alone. To do this would amount to the Security sector compet<strong>in</strong>g with other vital sectors for the limited resource on the table. Additional source of fund<strong>in</strong>g outside the budget must be identified <strong>an</strong>d exploited. Suggested Solution: a. The establishment of a National Security Trust Fund. Establish a National Security Trust Fund <strong>an</strong>d cultivate the participation of corporate bodies, the <strong>in</strong>formal sector <strong>an</strong>d general public to contribute One per cent (1%) of their gross earn<strong>in</strong>gs <strong>in</strong> to the fund. Contributions <strong>in</strong> to the fund would enable the citizenry buy <strong>in</strong>to the security situation on ground <strong>an</strong>d take ownership of it. The Lagos State Security Trust Fund is a typical <strong>example</strong> of a success story that could be replicated at the Federal level. It would be surpris<strong>in</strong>g how much the Federal Government would raise from the follow<strong>in</strong>g segments: i. The Oil Sector. ii. The B<strong>an</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g Sector. iii. Major Corporate bodies. iv. The Org<strong>an</strong>ised Private sector. v. Civil Serv<strong>an</strong>ts. vi. The <strong>in</strong>formal Sector. b. The establishment of Military Industrial Complex. The current effort by the Nigeri<strong>an</strong> Army under the <strong>in</strong>cumbent COAS, Lt Gen TY Buratai <strong>in</strong> the areas of vehicle m<strong>an</strong>ufactur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>an</strong>d combat protective equipment could be further exp<strong>an</strong>ded harness<strong>in</strong>g all <strong>in</strong>strumentalities of national power to build our own Military Industrial Complex. MAN POWER The m<strong>an</strong>power deficit currently suffered by both the Military <strong>an</strong>d Police rema<strong>in</strong>s a major impediment to <strong>an</strong>y <strong>in</strong>festation pl<strong>an</strong> required by own force <strong>in</strong> counter<strong>in</strong>g the freedom of action <strong>an</strong>d dom<strong>in</strong>ation currently enjoyed by the belligerent <strong>in</strong>surgents <strong>an</strong>d b<strong>an</strong>dits <strong>in</strong> the forest. While troops are required for fight<strong>in</strong>g purpose, they are also needed for embedd<strong>in</strong>g roles <strong>in</strong> communities <strong>an</strong>d other rear area activities <strong>in</strong> conjunction with civil authority. Meet<strong>in</strong>g the m<strong>an</strong> power requirement for these field activities, places much pressure on the highly limited m<strong>an</strong>power resource of the Army. To address this deficit, we must first come to the reality of accept<strong>in</strong>g that our country, Nigeri<strong>an</strong>, is at war. Therefore, our force generation effort must reflect that required sense of urgency needed <strong>in</strong> meet<strong>in</strong>g M<strong>an</strong> power needs <strong>in</strong> the field. Suggested Solution: (Short Term) a. Recall all reservists on a fresh reengagement contract deal. i. Recall all service personnel (on the Reserve) that left the military <strong>in</strong> the last 0- 5yrs. This recall exercise should not <strong>in</strong>clude The level of official complicity, <strong>in</strong>difference, toler<strong>an</strong>ce <strong>an</strong>d relaxed disposition that characterise security activities at our l<strong>an</strong>d borders, negates border protection pr<strong>in</strong>ciple officers as there are enough officers <strong>in</strong> the field to comm<strong>an</strong>d the men. ii. Attach good <strong>in</strong>centives to the recall directives if the aim must be archived. iii. Select the physically fit among them. iv. Get them to sign a 3-5yrs reengagement contract deal. v. Take them through a 6-8 Weeks robust re-tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g package specific to needs. vi. The fresh contract deal must come with <strong>an</strong> attractive package if the aim <strong>an</strong>d purpose must be archived. Look<strong>in</strong>g back at history, it would be recalled that the first wave of 10,000 troops <strong>in</strong>serted <strong>in</strong> to Afgh<strong>an</strong>ist<strong>an</strong> by the United States were from the Reserve pool. We have a swell strength on ground that could be regarded as our reserve. We could fall back to it <strong>in</strong> the National <strong>in</strong>terest. Suggested Solution: (Long Term) i. Establish additional tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g depots <strong>in</strong> the North, East <strong>an</strong>d South- South with a hold<strong>in</strong>g capacity of not less th<strong>an</strong> 3, 000 recruits each. ii. The Nigeria Police should also establish additional tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g colleges with a view to meet<strong>in</strong>g the C- <strong>in</strong>-C’s directive on the recruitment of 10,000 men <strong>in</strong> to the Police. EQUIPMENT AND LOGISTICS Technology today rules the world. With adequate technology comes good economy of time <strong>an</strong>d hum<strong>an</strong> effort with better results. Part of the major problems here have always been the follow<strong>in</strong>g: i. The absence of technological <strong>in</strong>tegration <strong>in</strong> our processes. ii. Shopp<strong>in</strong>g for wrong equipment (not fit for purpose). iii. Outright shortage of vital equipment <strong>in</strong> the field. iv. The <strong>in</strong>sensitivity of the Procurement policy to military exigencies. Suggested Solution: The follow<strong>in</strong>g must be borne <strong>in</strong> m<strong>in</strong>d: i. The National Procurement policy should be amended to adequately accommodate exigencies flow<strong>in</strong>g from the Security/Defence sector. ii. End-users should be carried along <strong>in</strong> all military procurement process. iii. Patronage of robust m<strong>an</strong>ufacturers readily disposed to favourable terms. iv. Patronage of well-<strong>in</strong>formed Vendors with eyes for details. v. Equipment should be user friendly <strong>an</strong>d of right configurations. vi. Equipment should be fit for purpose, specific to weather, terra<strong>in</strong> <strong>an</strong>d ground conditions. vii. Procurement packages should be well negotiated to accommodate tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g, servic<strong>in</strong>g, spares, upgrad<strong>in</strong>g <strong>an</strong>d prelaunch challenges <strong>in</strong> the field. TRAINING Adequate tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g is a prerequisite for success <strong>in</strong> the field. A well tra<strong>in</strong>ed soldier is <strong>an</strong> as<strong>set</strong> to his Comm<strong>an</strong>der. Jo<strong>in</strong>t tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> facilitation of the Higher Comm<strong>an</strong>ders <strong>in</strong>tent should be put <strong>in</strong> place. As at date, we are yet to atta<strong>in</strong> our desired End-state <strong>in</strong> Jo<strong>in</strong>t Force Integration <strong>in</strong> the field. Our tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g focus must therefore address this deficit at both the Tactical <strong>an</strong>d Operational levels. Suggested Solution: i . Tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g facilities should be exp<strong>an</strong>ded to accommodate more troops for greater participation. ii. Tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g facilities should be equipped <strong>in</strong> l<strong>in</strong>e with tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g needs. iii. Doctr<strong>in</strong>e <strong>an</strong>d Curriculum <strong>in</strong> use should be needs specific. iv. Tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g facilities should be adequately m<strong>an</strong>ned by our best h<strong>an</strong>ds <strong>an</strong>d bra<strong>in</strong>s, who are knowledgeable <strong>an</strong>d experienced. v. Instructors should be adequately motivated with the right welfare packages to enh<strong>an</strong>ce commitment <strong>an</strong>d focus. It should be made a th<strong>in</strong>g of pride to be posted as <strong>an</strong> <strong>in</strong>structor. vi. Tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>stitutions should not serve as dump<strong>in</strong>g grounds for disgruntled <strong>an</strong>d <strong>in</strong>discipl<strong>in</strong>e officers or officers who have fall<strong>in</strong>g out of favour with the establishment. WELFARE Troops’ welfare conditions must be prioritised <strong>an</strong>d adequately addressed to enable the soldier <strong>in</strong> the forward l<strong>in</strong>es concentrate on the task before him. He must cont<strong>in</strong>ually live with the reassur<strong>an</strong>ce that his family left at the barracks, <strong>in</strong> the rear, is well catered for, his kids have not been thrown out of school due to school fees palaver nor his pregn<strong>an</strong>t wife hav<strong>in</strong>g challenges access<strong>in</strong>g <strong>an</strong>te-natal care at the Unit MRS with no show of concern from authorities. Suggested Solution: A far reach<strong>in</strong>g review of troops’ welfare template is highly suggested to <strong>in</strong>clude the follow<strong>in</strong>g amongst others: i. Soldiers’ daily operational allow<strong>an</strong>ce to be upgraded to N5, 000 daily. ii. Soldiers on operation to be placed on double salary per month, one paid directly to his wife <strong>in</strong> the rare, <strong>an</strong>d the second to his personal salary account. The practice of double salary <strong>was</strong> <strong>in</strong> place <strong>in</strong> the Morocc<strong>an</strong> Army all through their border war with The Saharawi Democratic Republic which lasted well over 30 years. The practise provides adequately for the soldier’s domestic family needs <strong>in</strong> the rare, without the fear of disruptions to his pl<strong>an</strong>ned sav<strong>in</strong>gs. iii. The Nigeri<strong>an</strong> Army Welfare Insur<strong>an</strong>ce Scheme (NAWIS) package should be reasonably enh<strong>an</strong>ced <strong>in</strong> l<strong>in</strong>e with present day realities. iv. Soldiers with up to 25 years of service should be entitled to a home befitt<strong>in</strong>g their status on retirement, at a location of their choice. This could be enabled through a soft mortgage facility attract<strong>in</strong>g a source deduction of 5% per cent from their monthly pension only. v. The NHIS should be exp<strong>an</strong>ded to cover every ailment of the serv<strong>in</strong>g or retired personnel rather th<strong>an</strong> the present selective practice <strong>in</strong> which hundreds of retired personnel with severe body org<strong>an</strong> issues (heart, liver, kidney, lungs, p<strong>an</strong>creas etc.) have become technically elim<strong>in</strong>ated from the scheme to face the ultimate consequences of fate. OTHER COMPLEMENTING LINES OF ACTION THE BORDER PROTECTION FORCE Nigeria has the most extensive l<strong>an</strong>d border <strong>in</strong> Africa travers<strong>in</strong>g over 3,000 communities, 105 LGAs, 21 States <strong>an</strong>d over 1571 foot paths lead<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> to the Maghreb Region of North Africa. The level of official complicity, <strong>in</strong>difference, toler<strong>an</strong>ce <strong>an</strong>d relaxed disposition that characterise security activities at our l<strong>an</strong>d borders, negates border protection pr<strong>in</strong>ciple with severe consequences for our <strong>in</strong>ternal security. The unh<strong>in</strong>dered <strong>in</strong>flux of small arms <strong>an</strong>d light weapon, unchecked movement of illegal immigr<strong>an</strong>ts, herders, b<strong>an</strong>dits, cattle rustlers <strong>an</strong>d armed <strong>in</strong>surgents hell bent on tak<strong>in</strong>g adv<strong>an</strong>tage of the porous nature of our borders must be halted. Read more on www.v<strong>an</strong>guardngr.com
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