However, Alade disclosed that Nigeria government has responded to the threat of terrorism and insurgency with a combination of political, economic, legal and military strategies stressing that the approach to combat the menace is multi-sectoral involving government, law enforcement, judiciary and civil society organizations.

According to him, some of the measures adopted by Nigeria in tackling the menace include but not limited to the promulgation of counter-terrorism legislation, the national counter-terrorism strategy, international collaboration, enhanced border patrol and policing and the use of military power.

He noted that the role of strategic leadership in counter terrorism and counter-insurgency in Nigeria require new military management paradigms including appropriate leadership that bespeak cooperation and collaboration, amongst multiple partners adding that the strategic military leaders that would be saddled with the conduct and prosecution of such Complex Military Operation, CMOs, must be adequately trained in an environment conducive for such trainings.

He concluded, “The task of denying terrorists and insurgents the space to operate in our country cannot be done by the military alone. Every stakeholder in the Nigerian project, including universities, has critical roles to play in this regard. It requires effective policies that are informed by rigorous and empirical research”.

In his speech earlier, the Head, Department of Political Science, Professor O. B.C Nwolise who pointed out that Nigeria has been a victim of terrorism and insurgency stressed the need for the government to dialogue with aggrieved groups in the country whenever needs arises to avoid mistakes of the past that gave birth to the Niger Delta insurgency and Boko Haram terrorism.

He called, “There is a need for Nigerians, Africans and the world to show greater concern, care and love over the welfare of the over 2.5million internally displaced persons in the North East. The government should begin now to plan what to do with our citizens who fight Boko Haram as members of civilian JTF alongside with our armed forced so that they do not become separate threats tomorrow. Government needs to fashion out a comprehensive de-radicalization programme now for repentant Boko Haram elements and civilians their ideology has captured. There is greater need for vigilance and intelligence provision on the part of the people. Mass public enlightenment and education are needed to impart security education and mobilize citizens in this direction and a need for the expansion of the orientation and training of our security personnel in the area of spiritual security and spiritual intelligence.

GBENRO ADESINA can be reached via: [email protected]