Nigeria’s Path To Peace: AVM Onilede Proposes Game-Changing Security Measures

Despite intensified efforts by security agencies to combat these threats, thousands of lives have been lost, and property worth trillions of naira has been destroyed. According to the 2024 Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigerians paid a staggering ₦2.2 trillion in ransom to kidnappers between May 2023 and April 2024.

The report, covering the first year of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, suggests that when ransom payments during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure are considered, the total sum could be much higher.

During Goodluck Jonathan’s presidency, Boko Haram was the primary security challenge. However, under Buhari, insecurity escalated with the rise of herdsmen attacks, banditry, and kidnappings, affecting communities nationwide.

Insurgent groups operating under different names—such as Lukarawa, herdsmen, and bandits—turned kidnapping into a lucrative enterprise, targeting students and travelers across Nigeria. No region was spared, with major attacks occurring in Benue, Zamfara, Enugu, Ondo, and Kaduna states, among others.

High-profile mass abductions include:

• The 2018 kidnapping of 109 girls from Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State.
• The 2020 abduction of over 300 students from Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State.
• The 2021 kidnapping of 27 students from Government Science College, Kagara, Niger State.
• The 2021 abduction of 80 students and five teachers from Government College, Birnin Yauri, Kebbi State.

In an exclusive interview, retired Air Vice Marshal Moses Onilede, a former senior Nigerian Air Force officer with over three decades of experience, shared insights on Nigeria’s security challenges. He addressed allegations of foreign funding for Boko Haram, the rise of kidnapping as an industry, military misconduct, and the path to ending insecurity in Nigeria.

Key Takeaways from AVM Onilede’s Interview:

1. Is Nigeria Winning the War on Insecurity?

According to AVM Onilede, security is a dynamic issue requiring constant adaptation. While military operations, intelligence gathering, and regional cooperation have yielded some successes, challenges persist. Banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping continue, highlighting the need for better intelligence-driven strategies, community engagement, and socio-economic reforms.

2. Who is Responsible for Nigeria’s Security Failures?

Onilede emphasizes that security is a collective responsibility. The government and security agencies must strengthen inter-agency collaboration, leverage technology for surveillance, and address root causes such as unemployment and governance failures. Instead of blaming individuals, efforts should focus on institutional reforms and accountability mechanisms to enhance security efficiency.

3. Why is Kidnapping Thriving?

Kidnapping is driven by economic hardship, weak law enforcement, and lucrative ransom payments. Criminals see it as a high-profit, low-risk venture, particularly in areas with poor security presence. To curb the trend, Nigeria must implement intelligence-led policing, disrupt ransom payment networks, and introduce socio-economic programs to deter criminal activities.

4. Military-Civilian Clashes: What’s Behind Soldiers’ Misconduct?

While the military upholds discipline, isolated cases of abuse—such as soldiers assaulting civilians—stem from operational stress, inadequate conflict resolution training, and power abuse by young recruits. Onilede suggests continuous training on civil-military relations, human rights, and strict disciplinary measures to curb such incidents.

5. Is There Foreign Influence Behind Nigeria’s Insecurity?

Onilede acknowledges that security threats have both internal and external dimensions. While socio-economic and governance failures play a major role, factors like arms trafficking and foreign extremist ideologies contribute to instability. Nigeria must strengthen regional and global security partnerships to combat these challenges.

How Nigeria Can Overcome Insecurity:

Onilede recommends a multi-pronged approach:

• Enhanced Intelligence & Surveillance: Invest in advanced security technologies like drones and AI-powered surveillance.
• Stronger Military & Law Enforcement: Equip and train forces to handle emerging threats while respecting human rights.
• Community Policing: Foster collaboration between local communities and security forces.
• Addressing Root Causes: Reduce unemployment, poverty, and illiteracy to minimize crime.
• Judicial & Institutional Reforms: Ensure swift prosecution of criminals and enforce accountability in security agencies.
• National Orientation: Strengthen civic education and promote unity to counter divisive narratives fueling insecurity.

Onilede asserts that while no single solution will instantly end insecurity, sustained and coordinated efforts from the government, security agencies, civil society, and citizens can significantly improve national safety. Most importantly, without strong governance, military interventions and intelligence operations may not yield lasting results.