The reconfiguration and redistribution of military and police formations in the wake of the development are critical aspects in the upgrading the National security infrastructure. This measure is necessary because the insurgents took advantage of the absence of security formations in the areas where they held sway. The civil authority namely, the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence and Intelligence elements must also establish dominance in the affected States. Equally very important is, the need for well-structured de-radicalization of the youths in the affected States. The point is, many youths in communities in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States have been massively indoctrinated with the ideology of the Boko Haram. The absence of a well thought out deradicalization is definitely a missing link in the ongoing counter terrorism war.
The other major issue that should preoccupy the Government and other stakeholders is, the post insurgency rehabilitation efforts. It is worthy of note that, the Government has initiated several measures to rebuild infrastructure, kick-start institutions and generate socio-economic activities in the insurgency impacted States. Some degrees of success have been recorded in this regard. So much however still needs to be done. The rebuilding of destroyed public and private institutions and provision of safe places for the displaced people to stay are the most urgent. It is disturbing to note that, only the Presidential Committee on North East Initiative (PCNI) headed by the highly respected General T.Y Danjuma and his Deputy, Alhaji Tijjani Musa Tumsah seems to be making any impact in the rebuilding of the destroyed communities at the moment. Even at that, the Committee’s workings are dogged by several impediments. The most potent is, funding constraints. There is belief that the Committee could still do better if its funding challenges are looked into. Lack of progress on the Bill on the creation of the North East Development Commission is another serious issue of concern in the Nations effort to rebuild the North East. Something definitely needs to be done to kick-start the takeoff of the Commission if the President’s goal of ending the insurgency and rebuilding the areas in the North East devastated by the insurgency is to be met. As noted earlier, any narrative without mentioning the plight of the internally displaced people of the North East in the IDP camps is incomplete. Today, the IDP camps are ravaged by malnutrition, high infant mortality and unfortunately many sundry abuses. The displaced people in the IDP camps and some of the liberated communities are contending with the problem of lack of adequate care and deprivation. Those charges with the responsibility of catering for the internally displaced people should admit that all is not well. The plight is definitely another negative face of our national malaise. This predicament deserves prompt attention.
The point also needs to be made that for a holistic and informed picture of the rehabilitation efforts in the North East a mention of the contribution of international donor agencies and countries must be captured. Several countries and international donors have made immense contribution for the rebuilding of the sub-region. The impact of these contribution is however not visible. A more transparent and judicious deployment of external donations is therefore expedient. There is also the need for a more coordinated usage of assistance from external donors. Those responsible for utilizing such assistance should also not be partial as such efforts so far are concentrated only in some particular areas. To ensure equity and optimize impact it will definitely not be out of place for the Government to saddle one of its agencies with responsibility of coordinating assistance from foreign donors and even local sources and ensuring fair distribution and judicious use.
For the current efforts by all stakeholders to succeed, it is desirable the various MDA’s comply with Mr. President’s earlier directives that they should move into the insurgency affected States to address issues within their jurisdiction. There is the belief that, this will help in achieving the desired result. Funding impediments facing these MDAs must however be looked into. It is definitely in the interest of the people in the North East and the Government that the challenges facing the rehabilitation efforts are addressed. This alongside defeating the insurgency will be among the most outstanding achievements of the present Government.
On the whole, it is reasonable to conclude that, much have been achieved in tackling the insurgency and rebuilding the North East. The most outstanding achievements of course are in the counter terrorism operations. The military and other security agencies should be commended for technically defeating the insurgency. They should nevertheless prepare for and expect desperate acts of kidnapping, suicide attacks and hostage taking in this end phase of the insurgency. Equally deserving of attention is, addressing of missing links in the rehabilitation efforts. Accordingly, efforts must be stepped up to rebuild the Schools, Hospitals and public Institutions destroyed by the insurgents in all affected areas. Attention should also be paid to rebuilding the affected communities. Currently, this aspect of the rehabilitation efforts unfortunately has not been touched. This will allow for the return of the IDPs to their communities.
In conclusion it must be noted that the journey so far has not been without setbacks and hitches. These are the areas that need to be looked into. Notwithstanding these, the Government can be said to have done exceptionally well in liberating and rebuilding the North East.
Gadzama is a former Director General of State Security Service (SSS)
