By Olufemi Lawson
The latest arrest of 5 suspected kidnappers linked to the kidnapping of 20 potential National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, alongside the arrest of fugitive Faisal Maina, represents a big achievement by the Department of State Services (DSS) and a welcome improvement in Nigeria’s battle in opposition to insecurity.
Beyond the arrests themselves, these operations reinforce the significance of intelligence gathering, strategic surveillance and coordinated safety operations in confronting terrorism, kidnapping and different organised crimes threatening the nation.
The rescue of the kidnapped potential corps members and the next arrest of 5 suspects show the worth of sustained intelligence work past the speedy scene of against the law. Similarly, the reported arrest of Faisal Maina, who had been on the run since 2020, underscores the significance of intelligence in monitoring fugitives and making certain that no person stays completely past the attain of the regulation.
As I argued throughout a tv interview yesterday, Nigeria should make investments considerably extra in intelligence if the nation is to realize lasting success in its conflict in opposition to terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and different legal actions.
While navy operations, weapons and personnel stay necessary, safety can’t be sustained via pressure alone. Intelligence allows safety companies to establish legal networks, anticipate assaults, monitor perpetrators and dismantle their operational buildings earlier than they inflict additional harm.
Intelligence should due to this fact turn into the spine of Nigeria’s nationwide safety technique.
The Federal Government should prioritise fashionable intelligence know-how, digital forensics, personnel coaching, safe communication programs and improved operational logistics. Investing in prevention via intelligence is in the end simpler and more cost effective than regularly responding to assaults after lives and property have beecommend
I significantly commend Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin the Director-General of the DSS for the renewed emphasis on the service’s conventional nationwide safety tasks, particularly intelligence gathering, risk evaluation and the prevention of threats to nationwide safety.
In my evaluation, this renewed route represents a welcome departure from what critics had perceived in earlier durations as a diversion in the direction of unconventional approaches that risked overshadowing the service’s core intelligence mandate.
The DSS occupies a important place in Nigeria’s safety structure, and its effectiveness must be measured by its capability to uncover threats, disrupt legal networks and supply actionable intelligence that protects lives and nationwide pursuits.
The newest arrests show the sensible worth of a centered intelligence service. I salute the Director-General for his management and, extra importantly, the officers and males of the DSS whose vigilance, professionalism and dedication contributed to those successes.
However, the remaining suspects linked to the NYSC abduction should be tracked down, and all these discovered culpable should face the regulation.
The successes additionally raised the necessity for higher synergy among the many DSS, the navy, the police, the EFCC and different related safety and law-enforcement companies.
Criminal networks exploit gaps in coordination and data sharing. A extra built-in safety system, supported by joint intelligence operations and well timed alternate of credible data, would considerably enhance the nation’s potential to forestall assaults and apprehend offenders.
The Federal Government should additionally improve funding and operational help for the DSS to strengthen its technological capability, personnel welfare, intelligence infrastructure and subject operations.
Adequate funding, accompanied by accountability and efficient oversight, will allow the service to reply extra successfully to evolving safety threats.
The arrest of the suspected kidnappers and Faisal Maina sends a powerful message that intelligence-led operations can ship tangible outcomes. Nevertheless, the last word measure of success should be the prevention of future crimes, the dismantling of legal networks and the restoration of public confidence.
I urge the Federal Government to maintain its help for the DSS and different safety companies whereas making certain that investigations and prosecutions are carried out in accordance with the regulation.
Nigeria can’t afford to deal with intelligence as a secondary element of nationwide safety. It should be recognised as a strategic nationwide funding.
I as soon as once more salute the Director-General and the officers and males of the DSS for his or her newest achievements. Their efforts deserve commendation and sustained institutional help.
With stronger intelligence capabilities, improved inter-agency cooperation and ample funding, Nigeria could make significant progress in the direction of defeating terrorism, kidnapping and organised crime.
*Comrade Olufemi Lawson, National Secretary of the Campaign for Democracy (CD), writes from Lagos.
