Abbas Advocates Non-Military Approaches To Address Insecurity In Nigeria
•By Our Reporter
ABUJA – The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has emphasized the need for Nigeria to adopt dialogue and other non-military strategies to combat the country’s growing insecurity challenges.
Speaking at a workshop held in Abuja on Monday, titled Strategies for Advancing Non-Kinetic Approaches to Addressing Insecurity and Terrorism in Nigeria, Abbas called for a paradigm shift in tackling extremism and insecurity.
He urged Nigeria to draw lessons from nations like Rwanda and Kenya, which have successfully utilized non-kinetic strategies to diminish the allure of extremist ideologies while fostering national reconciliation and stability.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has highlighted Nigeria’s significant investment in military operations over the past two decades, with billions of dollars allocated to national security.
Reflecting on the 2024 federal budget, Abbas recalled that staggering N3.25 trillion, representing 12% of the national budget, was devoted to defence and security.
While acknowledging the strategic advantages of a military approach to combating insecurity, the Speaker emphasized the need for a paradigm shift towards addressing the root causes of insecurity. He advocated for a more cost-effective and sustainable strategy, prioritizing investments in critical sectors such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
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According to Abbas, such investments would not only mitigate insecurity but also foster long-term national stability and development.
“Relying solely on force addresses only the symptoms, not the root causes of insecurity,” Speaker Abbas cautioned.
He further emphasized the critical role of community policing, as enshrined in the Police Act of 2020, in fostering collaboration between law enforcement agencies and local communities to effectively tackle security challenges.
Presenting his speech, Speaker Abbas announced the establishment of a new Standing Committee on Peacebuilding and Social Cohesion within the Nigerian House of Representatives.
He said, “This pioneering initiative aims to formulate policies that promote peace and stability, positioning it as the first of its kind in Nigeria and potentially across Africa. Abbas expressed gratitude to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for its invaluable support in the creation of the committee.
The announcement was made during a workshop organized in collaboration with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung. The event brought together stakeholders from the security sector, intelligence agencies, and various other key sectors to deliberate on non-kinetic security strategies for enhancing national security.
In her opening remarks, Marija Peran, the Resident Representative of Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), commended the Speaker for his leadership in initiating the workshop. She expressed gratitude for the continued partnership with KAS, stating, “It was Mr. Speaker himself who personally initiated this crucial event, and KAS is deeply appreciative of the opportunity to collaborate once again.”
Peran emphasized the importance of non-kinetic approaches, which prioritize addressing the root causes of conflict and promoting sustainable peace. She added, “Such approaches are vital for fostering a secure and stable Nigeria.”
She emphasized that economic development plays a crucial role in addressing insecurity, highlighting that poverty and unemployment often serve as breeding grounds for extremist ideologies. By fostering economic opportunities, especially in vulnerable regions, we can offer alternatives to violence and diminish the allure of terrorist groups.
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