Bauchi Gov, Mohammed, Seeks Kinetic, Non-kinetic Strategies to Tackle Insecurity

•Afenifere decries high spate of crimes nationwide

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja and Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed , has said the current security challenges facing the country ranging from terrorism, banditry, insurgency to communal unrest, demanded a blend of kinetic and non-kinetic approaches as well as multi-dimensional strategies.

He, however, acknowledged that Nigerian Army, in response to tackling the security challenges, had deployed troops across nearly every state of the federation in aid of civil authorities.

This was as Afenifere, has decried the upsurge in terrorism acts in various parts of the country, especially North East, North Central and North West.

Speaking as the Special Guest at the 2025 Combat Arms Training Week of the Nigerian Army held at Obienu Barracks, Bauchi, the governor observed that the annual gathering was a critical platform aimed at enhancing collaboration, evaluating combat readiness, refining tactical efficiency, and crafting strategic responses by the Infantry and Armoured Corps of the Nigerian Army.

Represented by his Deputy, Hon. Mohammed Auwal Jatau, the governor noted that the Combat Arms Training Week “epitomises the unwavering commitment of the Nigerian Army to sharpen its sword and polish its shield, so that whenever called upon, you will respond with unmatched professionalism, precision, and patriotic fervour.”

He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his visionary leadership and  steadfast commitment towards strengthening the operational capacity of the nation’s armed forces, urging the forces not to relent in achieving the desired objectives.

“The nature of security challenges confronting our nation today has become increasingly complex and dynamic. In line with global best practices, continuous training remains the lifeline of any professional army.

“I am particularly heartened by the ongoing repositioning of the Nigerian Army into a more agile, resilient, and professional force, capable of confronting threats both within and beyond our borders.

“Your gallant efforts have substantially curtailed the menace of Boko Haram and other insurgent groups.

“I am confident that the lessons, reflections, and innovations emerging from this Combat training will further strengthen the operational capacity of the Nigerian Army, placing it in an even better position to defend our territorial integrity and to support civil authority in safeguarding internal peace and security, as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

On his part, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General O.O. Oluyede, assured the people that the combat training week and other deliberations would assist the force to consolidate on the glorious traditions of excellence for which the Nigerian Army is globally respected.

Afenifere Decries High Spate of Insecurity

Afenifere, has decried the upsurge in terrorism acts in various parts of the country, especially North East, North Central and North West.

Its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, in a statement, also lamented kidnapping incidents in parts of the South West.

The group stressed that to proffer effective solutions to the seeming hydra-headed scourge, it was important to first identify some of the root cause(s) of the problem.

It noted that the causative factors included the wide expanse of land that were not being properly governed, porous borders especially in the northern parts of the country, proliferation of weapons, complicity of state actors and influential individuals, ethno-religious bigotry, lack or paucity of institutional capacity by the state, elements of sabotage on the part of some unscrupulous politicians, among others.

The group noted that Chief Obafemi Awolowo, years ago, warned that “The children of the poor you failed to train will never let your children have peace.

 “That is what is happening in Nigeria today as terror groups are finding it easy to recruit from among the horde of uneducated youths in the North.

“Youths who are not sure of the future due to lack of education and skills. Youths who have difficulties to reason deeply when baits were thrown at them and when expected carrots did not come resorted to what, in psychology, is known as ‘Frustration Aggression Theory (FAT).”

It, therefore, called for the immediate implementation of the National Counter-Terrorism Strategy (NACTEST) and prompt enforcement of Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2011 as amended in 2013 and 2022.

It also called for peace building efforts involving meetings of stakeholders in various communities with a view to reminding them that banditry has no intrinsic benefits whatsoever.