Nigeria’s Security Crisis: Retired Generals Recommend Military, Diplomatic, and Economic Reforms
With over 300 Nigerians killed in violent attacks within just a month,
retired generals and security analysts are sounding the alarm urging immediate, bold action to tackle insurgency and banditry head-on.
From calls for military reform to stronger diplomacy and grassroots engagement, experts are charting a new path for Nigeria’s security.
Nation Under Siege: Terror Strikes Across States
Nigeria’s security crisis has been rocked by another brutal wave of violence, leaving over 300 dead in April and May 2025.
The deadliest attacks struck Zamfara, Sokoto, Plateau, Benue, and Borno states, deepening fears of unchecked insecurity.
In Plateau State’s Wereng Camp community alone, nine residents were murdered in a late-night raid.
Armed assailants torched homes and forced many to flee. The community has suffered repeated attacks for over a decade.
Across Zamfara, coordinated assaults on April 22 and 24 claimed over 100 lives in Bukkuyum and Anka LGAs.
In Benue, suspected herders slaughtered 56 villagers on April 18, while similar attacks in Plateau’s Zike community left 40 dead on April 13.
Borno saw ISWAP and Boko Haram step up their campaign.
A roadside bomb killed eight along the Damboa-Maiduguri road on April 12.
Two weeks later, 26 perished when a truck hit another explosive between Rann and Gamboru. ISWAP struck again on April 30, killing 15 near Chibok.
While figures in Sokoto remain unclear, banditry continues to disrupt communities, with security forces engaging in fierce firefights across the region.
The frequency and intensity of these attacks have not only left thousands displaced but have also severely impacted the local economy.
Farmlands have been abandoned, schools shut down, and healthcare facilities destroyed.
This ongoing insecurity threatens Nigeria’s food supply and education system, further deepening poverty and unrest.
Senate Moves to Strengthen Forest Security
In response to the bloodshed, the Nigerian Senate has taken legislative steps to address one root cause of insecurity ungoverned forest territories.
Lawmakers have urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to swiftly sign into law the Nigerian Forest Security Service Establishment Bill, 2025.
The bill proposes the creation of a special security unit known as the Forest Guards, operating under the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.
These guards would be trained and equipped to secure forests across the country, which currently serve as hideouts for terrorists, kidnappers, and armed herders.
Senator Abdullahi Danladi, one of the bill’s sponsors, said, “Without securing our forests, we are simply allowing criminal gangs to operate freely.
This bill is a necessary first step to reclaiming our territory.”
The Senate also called for improved synergy between federal and state governments to enhance forest surveillance using satellite imagery, drones, and local informants.
Military Experts Sound the Alarm
As the nation reels from continued bloodshed, some of Nigeria’s most experienced retired military officers
and security experts are urging a comprehensive overhaul of current strategies.
Their calls are united by one message: Nigeria must act fast or risk spiraling into a failed state.
Brig. Gen. Idris Bello (Rtd): “We Need a Million-Man Army”
Retired Brigadier General Idris Bello didn’t mince words:
“The military’s intelligence systems are failing. Our current strategy, including isolated Forward Operation Bases (FOBs), is outdated.
We need fresh tactics, better training, and urgent recruitment.”
According to Bello, expanding the armed forces to at least one million personnel would serve a dual purpose securing Nigeria and reducing unemployment among the youth.
A robust military force, he argued, could man key checkpoints, secure border regions, and flush out criminal enclaves in remote areas.
He also raised alarm over international sabotage: “Captured insurgents were found with U.S. dollars.
Some NGOs may be secretly aiding terrorists. The government must establish a committee to monitor these groups.”
Maj. Bone Efoziem: “Nigeria’s Diplomacy Is Helping Terrorists”
Major Bone Efoziem believes Nigeria’s international diplomacy is currently too weak to protect its interests:
“Terrorists are now using sophisticated drones and GPS-based tracking devices. These can only come from countries with advanced military tech.
Nigeria must strengthen international surveillance and trace weapon sources diplomatically.”
Efoziem emphasized the need for a joint command center involving the Army, Police, DSS, and Civil Defence Corps.
According to him, a decentralized response system weakens national security and slows down reaction time during emergencies.
He also pointed to the need for stronger border patrols and intelligence-sharing agreements with neighboring countries such as Niger, Chad, and Cameroon.
Anonymous Retired General: “State-Controlled Policing and Socio-Economic Reforms Are Key”
A retired Major-General, who chose to remain anonymous, made a strong case for devolving policing powers to the states:
“Each state knows its terrain and local challenges. Allowing governors to manage their own police forces can lead to better intelligence gathering and faster response times.”
Beyond the security apparatus, he stressed the need for massive socio-economic reforms to address the root causes of violence:
Direct cash transfers to rural families to ease poverty
Investments in agriculture to keep youths engaged
Free education and healthcare to restore faith in the government
“The road to peace is through development. Guns alone cannot end insurgency,” he concluded.
Retired Brig. Gen. Abroad: “Monitor Repentant Boko Haram Fighters Closely”
Speaking from abroad, a retired Brigadier General emphasized the importance of closely monitoring repentant Boko Haram fighters.
“We must be careful with the deradicalization program. Without proper screening and transparency, some of these ex-combatants may reintegrate into society as sleeper cells.”
He urged the government to create a biometric database of all surrendering fighters and establish third-party monitoring systems involving civil society,
international agencies, and religious leaders.
The Role of Technology in Combating Insecurity
Another growing concern is Nigeria’s lag in leveraging modern technology to fight crime.
Surveillance drones, thermal cameras, facial recognition software, and AI-based data analytics are now standard tools in other countries.
Yet Nigeria continues to rely on outdated methods, often leaving security forces blind and vulnerable.
According to Dr. Helen Ojukwu, a cybersecurity analyst, “We need a national intelligence data center that combines satellite imaging,
social media monitoring, and real-time geolocation.
This will help predict attacks before they happen.”
Community Involvement: The Missing Link
Experts agree that while military and diplomatic strategies are vital, communities must not be left out of the solution.
Local vigilante groups, religious institutions, and youth associations can serve as first responders and intelligence sources.
Training and arming trusted community members under official supervision could significantly reduce the time it takes to detect and repel attacks.
Community-based conflict resolution methods, particularly in farming communities where herder-farmer clashes are common, should be revived and modernized.
Path Forward: A Comprehensive Strategy
All the experts agree: Nigeria’s response must be multi-dimensional blending military force, community engagement, international diplomacy, and socio-economic reforms.
To silence the guns and restore peace, Nigeria must:
1. Expand its military to a million-strong force
2. Decentralize policing for localized response
3. Introduce Forest Guards with modern surveillance tools
4. Strengthen border security and foreign diplomacy
5. Empower communities to take part in security
6. Launch large-scale development programs in rural areas
This holistic approach, while ambitious, is necessary if Nigeria hopes to prevent further descent into chaos.
What do you think of these solutions proposed by Nigeria’s former military leaders?
Share your thoughts in the comments and stay connected with NIGPOST for ongoing updates on Nigeria’s security developments.
Author: Adewale Ibrahim
Date: May 16, 2025
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