Abuja: The United States Institutes of Peace (USIP) has urged the Nigerian military to explore non-kinetic community-based approaches to fight the war against insurgency in the country. Dr. Chris Kwaja, the Country Director of the Institute, conveyed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Kwaja commended the Nigerian military for their recent successes against insurgency, banditry, secessionist movements, organized crimes, and other forms of criminality. He, however, highlighted the challenge of harming citizens during these operations, which remains a significant concern. Kwaja noted that while military successes are commendable, collateral damage involving civilian populations during military operations needs urgent attention.
Kwaja emphasized the importance of the Chief of Defense Staff, Gen Chris Musa’s call for the military to prioritize protecting civilians over causing harm. He suggested the necessity for the armed forces to develop a comprehensive military strategy focused on ‘Civilian Harm Mitigation and Action Response Plan.’ This strategy would address the obligations of the military in planning, command, and control, as well as the rights of citizens and mechanisms for redress.
He also advised on the integration of community-based intelligence, noting that relying solely on kinetic force to combat insurgency and organized crime is inadequate. Kwaja stressed the need for the military to rebuild trust within communities, as their support is crucial in the fight against insurgency. He pointed out that criminal groups depend on local communities for support, which is vital for their survival, and encouraged the government to invest in rebuilding public trust to win over the hearts and minds of citizens.
Finally, Kwaja called for sustained efforts in the unified fight against insurgency, banditry, and terrorism. He also highlighted the importance of addressing issues raised in the forthcoming National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) 2024 crimes report.