By Olufemi Lawson
The current 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 growth in Nigeria’s combat towards 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 following arrest of 5 suspects display 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 guaranteeing that no person stays completely past the attain of the legislation.
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 battle towards terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and different prison actions.
While army operations, weapons and personnel stay essential, safety can’t be sustained by means of power alone. Intelligence allows safety companies to determine prison networks, anticipate assaults, observe perpetrators and dismantle their operational buildings earlier than they inflict additional harm.
Intelligence should subsequently develop into the spine of Nigeria’s nationwide safety technique.
The Federal Government should prioritise trendy intelligence know-how, digital forensics, personnel coaching, safe communication programs and improved operational logistics. Investing in prevention by means of intelligence is in the end more practical and more cost effective than frequently responding to assaults after lives and property have beecommend
I notably 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 course 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 ought to be measured by its capability to uncover threats, disrupt prison networks and supply actionable intelligence that protects lives and nationwide pursuits.
The newest arrests display 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 have to be tracked down, and all these discovered culpable should face the legislation.
The successes additionally raised the necessity for higher synergy among the many DSS, the army, the police, the EFCC and different related safety and law-enforcement companies.
Criminal networks exploit gaps in coordination and knowledge 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 means to stop assaults and apprehend offenders.
The Federal Government should additionally enhance funding and operational help for the DSS to strengthen its technological capability, personnel welfare, intelligence infrastructure and area 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 final word measure of success have to be the prevention of future crimes, the dismantling of prison networks and the restoration of public confidence.
I urge the Federal Government to maintain its help for the DSS and different safety companies whereas guaranteeing that investigations and prosecutions are performed in accordance with the legislation.
Nigeria can not afford to deal with intelligence as a secondary element of nationwide safety. It have to 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.
