Former GOC of the Mechanised Division of the Nigerian Army and current security strategist, Retired Maj. Gen. Danjuma Ali-Keffi, has warned that Nigeria’s worsening security crisis, including mass abductions and killings, is a direct result of insufficient troops, low morale, and lack of political will.
Speaking in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Wednesday, Ali-Keffi criticised the government’s handling of security operations, using the recent Kebbi State abduction incident as a case study.
“This is a surprise. I’ve been on your show since January last year—two years now—calling for sufficient troops. I kept calling for replication of what Sri Lanka and other countries have done. But I think we have a government that is funded, I mean, this is a succession of failures, because it’s not just this incident; the previous ones weren’t addressed either,” he said.
On the cabinet and leadership in the security sector, Ali-Keffi added: “Look at his cabinet piece in the security sector. Those are not the right guys for the job. Recently, we had a change of service chiefs. That won’t change anything; it is a cosmetic change basically. They are not addressing the real issues. You can bring a famed German general or Patton or Rommel; it won’t matter because the political will is not there. The military and other agencies are insufficient. You can’t expect them to be everywhere. That’s the fact.”
He also highlighted troop inadequacy and challenges in responding to threats: “Yesterday, members of the National Assembly called for an increase of about 100,000 troops in the Senate. That’s coming too late. Nigerians are fed up, frustrated. The country is a killing field.
“President Trump said genocide against Christians is not false. I wouldn’t characterize it as genocide against Christians because Muslims and people of other faiths are also killed. But the truth is that there are mass killings.”
Reflecting on his personal experience and observations, Ali-Keffi said: “I grew up in Makati, Benin State. Many areas I knew are now empty. My friends, their families are killed. Same thing in Pluto. I was General Staff Command in the 1st Mechanised Division, Kaduna, which covers Niger State, Kano, and Zamfara. We saw all of this. Troop numbers were inadequate.
“Commanders have to move troops like you move people in farming or shipping to cover areas. But you cannot achieve this. It’s not sustainable. In counter-terrorism, you need to suppress and saturate the ground with strength. That is not happening.”
On the nature of the recent abductions, he said: “I don’t think this is ideological insurgents trying to absorb women into their ranks like the Chibok girls. In this case, it is obviously for ransom.
“But since President Trump met the threat of invading the country, perhaps the bandits are daring America. They have upped their ante because they want to see the collapse of the Nigerian state and humiliate the government. And the government seems not to care. I have been calling on Nigerians and the government for the past three years to act, but this seems like lethargy.”
Discussing intelligence and military coordination, Ali-Keffi added: “Good intelligence is useless if you cannot influence action on the ground. The National Intelligence Agency and Defence Intelligence Agency are on top of their game.
“But troop strength is inadequate. Sometimes troops are aware that Boko Haram is going to attack a location, but the resources aren’t there. Troops come from other locations to respond, which exposes other threatened areas.
“That is why the military cannot prevent all attacks. You thin out locations, pick troops, but if a school is seen as a threat, reinforcements could have been sent earlier. That’s the challenge.”
He emphasised troop fatigue and morale issues: “Fatigue is happening. The military has been engaged since the Liberian crisis in 1990–91. It negatively affects morale. Some soldiers have been away from families for years. I served in Liberia, and I was injured during an assassination attempt on Chastelot. I was shot; everyone with me was killed. Troops I commanded in Konduga and other locations are still there, repeatedly serving in dangerous theatres. Family lives are being destroyed. Soldiers are victims of leadership failure.”
Addressing inter-service rivalries, he said: “There may be competition, but that is not the problem. The problem is leadership. When the President gives the service chiefs a blank check, ‘do as you like,’ with no timeline, it doesn’t work. You need clear directives. Give them three months to achieve specific objectives. That’s how to manage troops effectively.”
On government concern, Ali-Keffi was blunt: “The leadership does not display much concern. People are being abducted and murdered in their thousands. The government circus continues regardless. Politicians don’t care. That is why threats from foreign nations are now prompting action. Nigerians are frustrated because their lives are devalued.”
Finally, on the appropriate response, Ali-Keffi said: “Negotiation is out of the question. No dialogue with criminals. Look at Israel; I don’t support genocide, but as a military man, I understand some of the actions they took.
“Forests and deserts used as hideouts must be cleared. Flood tunnels, burn out forests if necessary. Sri Lanka took decisive action. Action is needed now to prevent turning Nigeria into a failed state. Things are degenerating every day. We can’t pull our hands or feet. We must act decisively,”he concluded.
Boluwatife Enome
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