Former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, has expressed concerns about the creation of new security agencies, stating that such measures will not address the root causes of insecurity in Nigeria.
Irabor stressed the need for the Federal Government to thoroughly investigate the country’s security situation before considering the establishment of additional agencies.
During an appearance on Politics Today, a Channels TV programme, Irabor pointed out that existing security agencies are grappling with several critical issues, such as intelligence gaps, inadequate manpower, outdated equipment, and poor coordination.
He warned that without a careful and thorough evaluation of the situation, any new agency would face the same challenges that have hindered the effectiveness of current security bodies.
Irabor stated, “The level of gap differs from one level to the other. But then the greatest of them all has to do with manpower and equipment. The manpower and equipment, and that is also where I believe that the conversation that is ongoing now must be properly structured and synthesised.”
Irabor stressed that discussions around security reform should not be superficial or generalised.
He suggested that after public conversations, there should be closed-door meetings where the details of the gaps within existing agencies can be fully examined, and solutions can be developed.
“It must not be a generalised discussion because after the optics for the public, then there has to be a closed-door interaction wherein the details of these gaps can be given, and what is required can also be discussed in greater detail,” Irabor added.
Naijaonpoint reports that the former CDS also touched on the issue of coordination within security agencies, clarifying that poor coordination does not necessarily mean that the agencies are not communicating with each other. Instead, it refers to the lack of effective integration of efforts and resources.
“I can tell you that there are issues both with intelligence, manpower, equipment and coordination. Coordination does not necessarily mean that the security agencies are not speaking to one another,” he said.
Irabor further argued that creating new security agencies would not solve these fundamental problems, as the gaps affecting the police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other agencies are likely to affect any new establishment in the same way.
The Dangers of Rushing to Create New Agencies
Highlighting specific examples, Irabor cited the police’s existing capacity issues and warned against thinking that the creation of new agencies would fill the gaps without addressing the underlying causes.
He explained that, instead of rushing to establish new agencies, a comprehensive assessment of existing agencies’ challenges must be carried out, with an emphasis on closing those gaps.
“Where we have issues, police, for example, have serious policing issues, serious problems, capacity gaps. Now, instead of properly assessing them, identifying the gaps and then closing up those gaps, you think that it is by creating other agencies that will fill the vacuum. That is the wrong approach,” Irabor warned.
Irabor also criticised the creation of the Forest Guards, which was recently established by law, calling it a misguided decision.
According to him, the same systemic problems affecting the police and the NSCDC are likely to plague the Forest Guards as well, as long as the foundational issues are not addressed.
“Today, even though the law has been passed for forest guards, as an individual, I think that is a mistake that was made. Because the disease that has killed the police, which has also killed the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, is also going to kill that establishment. Why? Because we have not done a thorough analysis of where these issues are,” he explained.
Irabor concluded by stressing the importance of carefully understanding and solving security issues before attempting to implement new structures.
He warned that failure to address these underlying problems could ultimately undermine the effectiveness of Nigeria’s military and other security agencies.
“And if that is not done, that is what is going to kill our military. Because we are not taking time to listen, to understand what these problems are, and then solve them. Instead, people keep talking about money, but volume does not equate to efficiency,” Irabor cautioned.
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