Poverty, unemployment hindering fight against insecurity – Army

By Rasheedah Makinde

The Chief of Army staff, COAS, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja has identified poverty and unemployment as factors hindering the fight against insecurity.

Lieutenant General Lagbaja made this known during the first strategic personality lecture organized by the institute of peace ans strategic Studies,(IPSS), University of Ibadan.

The COAS while speaking on the topic, ‘Combating an Adversary Without Boundaries: The Need to Implement a Whole of Society Approach to Nigeria’s National Security’, said Nigeria must plan to solve the twin problems of poverty and unemployment to avert long-term insecurity and instability in Nigeria.

Lieutenant Lagbaja who spoke through the General Officer Commanding 2-Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Major General Obinna Onubogu, explained that that the twin problems of unemployment and poverty have given impetus to security challenges in the country.

He noted that unemployed youths are susceptible to recruitment by criminals.

Lieutenant Lagbaja was opined that counter-insurgency operations required corporation among security agencies in order to collectively wage war against insecurity bedeviling the Nation.

“Related to the factors of unemployment and poverty is demography and youth bulge with citizens of 35 years below accounting for about 54.1 per cent of the population, estimated at 229,379,082 as of 20 July 2024. Of this figure, less than 20 per cent of them are gainfully employed.”

“The operating environment has evolved to a point where no single service or agency can effectively and independently tackle the threats to national security.”

“It is therefore crucial that synergy is developed with other security agencies in the implementation of the whole of society approach to the threats. Communication, cooperation, and collaboration amongst MDAs have been major topics of discussion.

The Chief of Army staff stated further that, Although there has been some improvement, much more still needs to be done.

“Counter-insurgency operations require synergy amongst agencies, who need to collaborate with each other towards achieving a common goal.”

“Collaboration, communication, and cooperation are required for planning, sharing of intelligence, and the practical execution of all operations.”

The Army boss,therefore, called on Military, para-military and other security agencies to form a strong and formidable synergy of approach to the prevailing security challenge.

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels and also join our Whatsapp Update Group