•••calls for a more robust and coordinated approach from northern governors to tackle the escalating security threats.
By John Audu.
A retired General Ishola Williams, a former Commandant of the Army Signals, has accused northern governors of failing to take decisive action against the escalating threats of banditry and terrorism. Speaking in an exclusive interview with Sunday PUNCH, Williams expressed deep frustration over the lack of efficiency and willpower exhibited by both military and political leaders in addressing these pressing challenges.
“The situation has spiraled out of control,” Williams stated, highlighting that bandits now operate with impunity across vast territories in Northern Nigeria. He underscored that the crisis transcends mere terrorism, necessitating a multifaceted approach to restore order and security.
Williams proposed a reevaluation of the military’s role in internal security, suggesting that their primary focus should be on safeguarding the nation’s territorial integrity rather than engaging in counterbanditry operations. He emphasized that such responsibilities should fall under the purview of the Mobile Police, advocating for the establishment of a National Paramilitary Force as an independent entity separate from the Nigeria Police Force.
Criticizing the current reliance on military forces for tasks better suited to specialized agencies, Williams remarked, “What is very important is that the military is doing the job of the mobile police… When the mobile police cannot do the job, the military is expected to support them, not to take over.” He called for a clear delineation between ordinary policing and paramilitary policing, arguing that effective security measures must be localized to state and community levels.
Addressing allegations of collusion between security agencies and bandits, as voiced by prominent figures such as Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, Williams raised pointed questions about the commitment of political leaders to confront these issues. “Do they have the will to face the bandits and defeat them? For me, if they don’t have the will, it simply means they are useless,” he asserted.
Williams also highlighted the political dimensions of the security crisis, suggesting that resolving underlying political grievances could aid in mitigating violence. He referenced the ongoing unrest in the South-East, advocating for the release of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu and engagement with regional leaders as potential pathways to peace.
On the northern security crisis, Williams criticized governors for their inaction, particularly regarding the Almajiri system and the influence of traditional rulers. He pointed to troubling instances of collaboration between traditional leaders and bandits, including the controversial turbaning of notorious bandit leader Bello Turji, as symptomatic of deeper systemic issues.
“The governors are simply not serious,” Williams lamented. “If they cannot take care of Almajiri, can they take care of the terrorists?” He recounted Turji’s brazen challenge to military forces, questioning the effectiveness of Nigeria’s security apparatus in curbing such audacity.
Dismissing claims that Boko Haram’s operations are too sophisticated for local forces to handle, Williams called for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture. He urged the government to adopt a pragmatic, problem-solving approach, emphasizing that accountability and proper equipping of intelligence services are crucial to dismantling the networks that sustain these violent groups.
As Nigeria grapples with escalating insecurity, Williams’ insights underscore the urgent need for a concerted effort from both military and political leaders to reclaim the safety and security of its citizens. The call for a fundamental restructuring of Nigeria’s security framework may be the first step toward restoring order in a region plagued by violence and instability.
