As the Federal Government examines options toward tackling insecurity in the country, some experts have cautioned against engaging ex-servicemen in community policing.

They opined that such move could jeopardise the fragile security situation in the country.

The calls came against the backdrop of resurgence of kidnapping and terrorism in parts of the country in spite of ongoing operations by security forces to tackle the menace.

The respondents, including ex-servicemen, retired police personnel and security experts, made the call on Monday in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

A security expert, Mr. Frederick Osunde, said that engagement of ex-servicemen could lead to the possible militarisation of community policing.

He stressed the need for proactive measures to ensure that civilian oversight and human rights considerations were accorded pririoty in such collaboration.

Osunde said the process might encounter challenges in the integration of ex-servicemen into civilian roles as well as fostering effective collaboration between the ex-servicemen and law enforcement agents.

“While the idea has the potential to strengthen security measures, it requires careful consideration of potential drawbacks and proactive measures to address them”.

Also, Ambrise Aisabor, a retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), said the proposed engagement of the ex-servicemen should be viewed seriously to guard against negative reactions in Nigeria’s quest to tackle insecurity.

He said there are complexities in integrating retired soldiers into law enforcement, adding that maintaining civilian oversight and preventing any overreach of military influence in domestic security matters should be prioritised.

According to him, the introduction of the military into the internal security architecture in the country had yielded no desired result as the situation rather kept deteriorating.

He, therefore, called for provision of equipment, training and adequate funding of the police to enhance its operations.

Aisabor advocated for the establishment of state police as panacea to insecurity as against engaging retired soldiers, adding that, “such move will create more confusion.

“Apart from the payment of salaries, the federal government has abandoned the police to the state governments. Most logistic requirements of the police are borne by the states.

“To solve insecurity in the country, state police is inevitable. There is no alternative to state police.

“You cannot decree community policing from Abuja. It can only thrive under the states.

“Security is local and it is the citizens of an area that can effectively police the place. Apart from state police, there should be multilevel policing in the country such as local government and big institutional policing.

“In a true federalism, multi-level policing is vogue. So, state police is sine qua non to tackling insecurity in the country”.

However, some experts opposed to the earlier opinion, sought for collaborative engagement of the ex-servicemen in the security architecture to enhance protection of lives and property in the country.

They argued that effective engagement of the ex-servicemen would rejig the police community strategy in the fight against insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminal activities bedevilling the nation.

Capt. Ibrahim Gadine (rtd), Chairman of the Nigerian Legion in Yobe, said security is a collective responsibility which deserves commitment from all people.

He said the ex-service personnel were ready to deploy their knowledge and experiences to assist the security agencies in fighting crimes.

“As Nigerians, we are deeply appalled by the wave of insecurity in the country, and we are ready to assist to turn the tide in whatever capacity.

“In fact, we advised troops deployed to the North-East to always seek information from retired soldiers for better understanding of the terrain they operate in.

“We suggested incorporating retired soldiers into the security committees as security advisers across the 17 Local Government Areas in Yobe.

“This is because a trained soldier is well-positioned to identify flash points, threats to security and be able to predict impending attacks by criminals,” he said.

Gadine pledged support to the amendment of the Armed Forces Act, to pave way for engagement of the legionnaires in community policing.

Warrant Officer, Ali Mohammed (rtd), Chairman of the Nigerian Legion in Adamawa, described the engagement of ex-servicemen as imperative toward enhancing security network in the country.

Mohammed also sought for incentives to encourage volunteers.

While Sama’ila Maikyau, Interim Chairman, Adamawa Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), said the measure would spur campaign against security breaches.

Corroborating Maikayau, Sgt. Ibrahim Ali (rtd), said that engagement of ex-servicemen, vigilante and hunters have yielded positive results in the counter-insurgency campaign in Borno, adding that “they are veritable asset in containing security challenges.

“As locals, we know the terrain and always command respect from the security personnel operating in our communities”.

Also, Mr James Momoh, a resident of Benin, described ex-service personnel as veritable tool towards enhancing community policing and strategic intelligence initiatives in the country.

He said ex-servicemen could use their experiences to provide valuable insights into security challenges, and contribute to the overall safety and security of Nigerians.

In his contribution, an Asaba-based human right activist, Victor Ojei, said the current security challenges facing the nation requires deep military experience and discipline to tackle.

Ojei, a founder of the Young Nigerian Rights Organisation (YNRO), said it is high time for the government to assign specific roles to the ex-servicemen, to enable them to contribute toward peace building in the society.

“I believe the government can deploy these retired military personnel in strategic roles within internal security agencies.

“By so doing, the nation will be leveraging their experience, training and discipline to enhance operational efficiency,” Ojei said.

On harnessing their potentials, the activist urged the government to provide incentives like competitive allowances, healthcare benefits and opportunities for advancement as motivation to the ex-servicemen.

He said that recognition of their expertise and a supportive work environment could also attract retired personnel back to security operations.

According to him, engagement of hunters in collaborative efforts with security forces will enhance surveillance and intelligence gathering.

Similarly, a community leader in Issele-Azagba, Chief Ebo Obiechine, described the proposed engagement of retired soldiers as a “welcome idea”.

He attributed the spate of insecurity in the country partly to ‘insincerity’ on the part of leaders.

“We are where we are today because our political leaders are not sincere to themselves and the people.

You can’t tell me that a nation like Nigeria is grappling to tackle broad-day banditry, killings, kidnappings even in Abuja,” he said.

Issele-Azagba attributed the insecurity to alleged saboteurs in the nation’s security system, and called for practical measures to address the problem.

In the same vein, the Jigawa government said it was consulting with relevant security stakeholders for possible engagement of ex-servicemen in community policing.

Mr. Sagir Musa, the Commissioner for Information, Youths, Sports and Culture, said the state governor, Umar Namadi had met with retired military and paramilitary personnel on the way forward to combat crimes.

The state government, he said, constituted a security council committee comprising the executive officers, community leaders and the Attorney General of the state as members.

He said the council deliberates and recommends strategies on how to enhance security to ensure that the state maintained its peaceful status.

According to Musa, there is a possibility of incorporating the ex-servicemen in community policing in the state, adding that the government is mindful of the financial implications attached to it.

On amendment of the Armed Forces Act, Musa said the Jigawa government would key into the process, and strive to reflect what’s within its jurisdiction to improve security in the state.”

More so, a security expert, Col. Sadiq Abubakar (rtd), said Nigerian is blessed with abundant ex-military and police personnel that could help towards improving security in the country.

Abubakar, who is the Chief Security Officer, Federal University Dutse (FUD), said the ex-servicemen could also provide their technical knowhow in crime reduction.

The security expert noted that crime rate in Nigeria was on the increase ranging from major to minor crimes.

“We have reported cases of terrorism, kidnaping, banditry, armed robbery, stealing and corruption etc.

“The active military personnel are doing all they can to the best of their capacity to tackle these issues. Yet, more hands are required in the system for effective military policies and execution.

“These may necessitate the amendment of the Armed Forces Act. It might reduce the crime rate and put an end to some of the most threatening ones”.

In line with the utilisation of the ex-servicemen in security matters, Abubakar recalled how the U.S. government hired veterans to tackle security challenges.

“The U.S. government is committed to bringing onboard those who have served in the Armed Forces into federal careers in areas of counter terrorism, Defence Information System Agency, operations, war fighters, peace and conflict resolution.

“Uhuru Kenyatta reportedly deploy the services of past experienced military personnel and hunters, complementing the active forces to counter the insecurity in the country.

“If the United States despite their military capacity can use the services of ex-military personnel and a country like Kenya can do the same, then Nigeria is in a better position to do so,” he said.

Abubakar said that such strategies would go a long way in addressing nagging security challenges in the country. (NAN)

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