Has the military tech failed to tame Nigeria’s insecurity?

BUSINESS DAY NG

The security landscape of Africa’s largest economy is deteriorating rapidly, with each region facing its unique challenges, from cybercrime in the South-West to the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East.

“From 2012 to 2020, we have lost over 70,000 lives to various acts of insecurity, indicating the cost of this violence,” a security expert said.

With kidnappings for ransom becoming increasingly common, the country saw about $18.34 million paid in ransoms from 2011 to 2020.

The economic impact is equally alarming. A study by the Institute of Economics and Peace (IEP) reveals that violence has cost Nigeria approximately N50 trillion, significantly impacting its GDP.

This amount is three times larger than Nigeria’s 2022 budget of N17.127 trillion. Despite spending at least N8trillion on security measures, the government has failed to curb the crisis.

Buttressing this, Nigeria Customs Service reported that over N400 billion was lost due to insecurity in 2022.

The Nigerian military’s armoury

Despite possessing a diverse range of military equipment, there’s a critical gap in the Nigerian military’s approach.

The Nigerian military boasts a diverse and extensive array of military equipment. Its inventory includes a variety of infantry weapons such as handguns (Beretta 92, Browning Hi-Power, Walther P5), submachine guns (Heckler & Koch MP5, Beretta M12), and assault rifles (IWI Tavor, CAA AK-Alfa, M16A1). The army also utilises machine guns like the M2 Browning and sniper rifles including the Polish Alex .338.

In terms of armored vehicles, the Army possesses Chinese VT4 tanks, Soviet T-72s, British FV101 Scorpions, and various armored personnel carriers like the Austrian Saurer 4K 4FA. Their artillery includes self-propelled howitzers such as the Chinese SH-5 and multiple rocket launchers like the Soviet BM-21 Grad. The air defense system comprises anti-aircraft guns like the Soviet ZSU-23-4 and missiles like the British Blowpipe.

Additionally, the Nigerian Army’s air wing is enhancing its fleet with the acquisition of 12 MD500 Defender multirole helicopters from the US and a number of HAL Prachand attack helicopters from India.

The critical gap: How bureaucracy handicaps the military

Recent statements from Nigerian military leaders have cast a stark light on the challenges facing the country’s fight against kidnapping and insecurity. General Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff, during a critical parliamentary session, revealed systemic issues, including collusion between prison warders and Boko Haram, and a judiciary releasing captured criminals back into society. “When basic needs are unmet, maintaining peace becomes a challenge, and criminality finds fertile ground,” Musa stated, highlighting the exacerbating effect of October’s 27.33percent inflation rate.