The
Nigerian army's decline is like watching a superhero movie in reverse - they
started strong, but now they can barely catch a petty thief, let alone fight
off terrorists or local mafias. Anybody paying attention will immediately
notice that the Nigerian army is in trouble, especially given that their
attempts to combat terrorism resemble a game of hide-and-seek where the
Nigerian Army are always the ones hiding and the terrorists are very, very good
at seeking.
The
Nigerian army has long been a point of pride for the country, with a rich
history of bravery and courage in the face of adversity. For instance, the
Nigerian army's role in the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring
Group (ECOMOG) was akin to a beacon of hope for war-torn countries in the 1980s
and 1990s. Through ECOMOG, the Nigerian army was able to bring a much-needed stability
and peace to countries like Liberia, Sierra Leone, and other African nations. The
army's efforts were like a soothing balm for these countries, providing them
with the peace and stability they so desperately needed.
The
Nigerian army's involvement in ECOMOG at the time was also a shining example of
the country's commitment to peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts in the
region. The army's efforts to restore peace in these countries were akin to a
giant leap forward in the fight against conflict and violence in Africa. Their actions when it comes to peace keeping in West
Africa were a testament to Nigeria's willingness to go above and beyond in the
pursuit of peace and stability, and their success in this endeavor was a source
of great pride for the nation.
Unfortunately,
in recent years, the army has become a mere shadow of its former self, largely
due to rampant corruption, favoritism, and nepotism in recruitment. This has
led to a severe decline in the competence and effectiveness of the army, to the
point where it can no longer effectively combat the threat of Boko Haram and
other terrorist groups. The incapacity of the Nigerian military to combat the
threats posed by Boko Haram in northern Nigeria and the "unknown
gunmen" thugs (who are notorious in Eastern Nigeria for kidnapping,
murder, and extortion) is perplexing, like an unexpected twist in a fascinating
story. Once seen as a strong force, their inability to dismantle these
ragtag gangs has continued to astounds every Nigerian citizen. Boko Haram,
like a cunning fox, has infiltrated Nigeria's military bases, carrying out
successful attacks that rock the very foundations of Nigeria's national
security. The leaders tasked with protecting the country, such as Defense
Minister Bashir Salihi Magashi and Army Chief of Defense Staff, General Lucky
Irabor, should be blamed for the consequences of their incompetence. It is
a distressing reality that the ministry they supervise is ill-equipped to
defend itself, let alone protect Nigerian citizens' lives.
Moment
of Truth: Somebody’s Gotta Say It
The
current state of the Nigerian army is like a ship caught in a raging storm,
unable to navigate the treacherous waters of insecurity and violence that have
engulfed the country. The army's weakness has left it vulnerable to attack from
all sides, with different regions of the country falling under the control of
local mafias and terrorist groups. The situation is like a nightmare for the
people of Nigeria, who are living in constant fear of being abducted,
kidnapped, or killed.
It
is as if there is a parallel government operating in Nigeria, one that is run
by criminals and terrorists who are free to carry out their nefarious
activities without fear of reprisal. This situation has left many feeling like
they are living in a lawless society, with the Nigerian army powerless to
restore order and protect the citizens. The army's failure to control the
current insecurity in the country is like a gaping wound in the nation's
fabric, a wound that threatens to tear the country apart if left unchecked.
In
many ways, the Nigerian army is now akin to a wounded animal, struggling to
survive against overwhelming odds. Corruption and nepotism have created a toxic
environment within the army, with promotions and appointments often being based
on factors other than merit and ability. This has led to a lack of morale and
motivation among many soldiers, who feel that their hard work and dedication
are being overlooked in favor of those with connections or who are willing to
pay bribes.
As
a result of this widespread corruption and favoritism, the Nigerian army has
become a breeding ground for incompetence and inefficiency. Training standards
have fallen dramatically, with many soldiers ill-prepared and ill-equipped to
deal with the challenges of modern warfare. The army is plagued by a lack of
discipline and accountability, with many soldiers engaging in misconduct and
abuse of power with impunity.
Perhaps
the most troubling aspect of this decline in the Nigerian army's effectiveness
is its inability to effectively combat Boko Haram and other terrorist groups.
Once feared throughout West Africa for its formidable fighting force, the army
now struggles to even contain the threat of Boko Haram, let alone defeat it.
This is due in large part to the lack of training and discipline among
soldiers, as well as a lack of leadership and strategic planning at the higher
levels.
Simply
put, the Nigerian army is similar to a ship without a captain, drifting
aimlessly in dangerous waters. The leadership of the army has been unable to
effectively address the corruption and nepotism that plagues the institution,
and has failed to implement meaningful reforms to improve the army's training
and capabilities. This has left the army vulnerable to attack, both from within
and without, and has undermined the country's ability to defend itself against
its enemies.
Modus
Operandi
It
is clear that the Nigerian army is in dire need of reform if it is to once
again become a force to be reckoned with. This will require a concerted effort
to root out corruption and favoritism, and to promote a culture of meritocracy
and accountability. It will also require significant investment in training and
equipment, as well as a renewed focus on strategic planning and leadership
development.
However,
it is important to recognize that these reforms will not happen overnight. They
will require a sustained and committed effort on the part of both the
government, the defense minister Bashir Salihi Magashi, and the military
leadership, as well as the support and participation of all members of the
army. Only by working together can the Nigerian army overcome the challenges it
faces, and once again become a source of pride and strength for the country.
The
Bottom line is this: the current state
of the Nigerian army is a cause for great concern, and highlights the dangers
of corruption, favoritism, and nepotism in recruitment. Unless urgent action is
taken to address these issues, the army will continue to decline in
effectiveness and competence, and will be unable to defend the country against
its enemies. It is time for the Nigerian government and military leadership to
recognize the severity of this issue, and to take bold and decisive action to
reform the army and restore its former glory.
Notes
Campbell, J. (2018, November 27). Boko Haram Overruns
Outgunned Nigerian Military Base. Retrieved from Council on Foreign
Relations:
https://www.cfr.org/blog/boko-haram-overruns-outgunned-nigerian-military-base#:~:text=On%20November%2018%2C%20an%20army,the%20aftermath%20of%20the%20attack.
Chukwuma C.C. Osakwe, C. C., & Audu , B. N. (2017). The
Nigeria Led ECOMOG Military Intervention and Interest in the Sierra Leone
Crisis: An Overview. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 8(4),
107-114.
Habib, G. (2023, May 24). Nigeria Spent $8bn to Restore
Peace in Liberia, Says Irabor. Retrieved from Punch:
https://punchng.com/nigeria-spent-8bn-to-restore-peace-in-liberia-says-irabor/#:~:text=Nigeria's%20government%20has%20spent%20%248,the%20United%20Nations%20peacekeeping%20operations.
International Crisis Group. (2016, June 6). Nigeria: The
Challenge of Military Reform. Retrieved from
https://www.crisisgroup.org/africa/west-africa/nigeria/nigeria-challenge-military-reform
McGregor, A. (1999). Quagmire in West Africa: Nigerian
Peacekeeping in Sierra Leone (1997-98). International Journal, 54(3),
482-501.
Premium Times. (2023, February 13). Nigeria Military is
Overstretched – Defence Minister. Retrieved from
https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/581754-nigeria-military-is-overstretched-defence-minister.html
Sahara Reporters. (2023, January 6). EXCLUSIVE: Nigerian
Army Moves To Stop Soldiers From Resigning Over Low Morale, Loss Of Interest,
Other Reasons. Retrieved from
https://saharareporters.com/2023/01/06/exclusive-nigerian-army-moves-stop-soldiers-resigning-over-low-morale-loss-interest
No comments:
Post a Comment