The latest withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso from the Financial Neighborhood of West African States (ECOWAS) has raised important safety considerations for Nigeria, with consultants warning of potential threats from rebel teams.
Mike Ejiofor, former director-general, Division of State Companies (DSS), mentioned their exit might elevate problems with cross-border terrorism, refugees, and weakened regional cooperation.
In response to him, the political and safety conditions in these international locations immediately influence Nigeria’s stability, noting that the lack of ECOWAS unity signifies that Nigeria might need to take extra important unilateral motion to safeguard its borders and nationwide pursuits.
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In an interview with BusinessDay, he harassed that whereas the fragmentation of ECOWAS poses challenges, it mustn’t forestall Nigeria from sustaining diplomatic and safety relations with the departing nations.
Ejiofor highlighted Nigeria’s porous borders as a serious safety threat, particularly within the absence of a strong multinational patrol system.
“These international locations, particularly Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, have been experiencing an increase in insurgency, significantly from teams like Al-Qaeda and ISIS within the Sahel. These teams function within the porous borders and might spill over into Nigeria. The Boko Haram insurgency, which has plagued Nigeria for years, has ties to those regional teams.”
He emphasised the necessity for pressing motion to forestall exterior threats from spilling into Nigeria, urging the federal authorities to strengthen the borders and improve safety ties with neighbouring international locations.
“We should always strengthen our borders, particularly between these three international locations, to forestall exterior safety threats from escalating,” he mentioned.
Ejiofor known as for elevated collaboration between safety companies, together with the navy, immigration providers, and intelligence items, to forestall infiltration by terrorist teams.
Safety consultants additionally warn that as these international locations exit ECOWAS, there could also be weakened regional cooperation when it comes to intelligence sharing, border safety, and coordinated navy motion.
This might result in elevated assaults and instability alongside Nigeria’s northern borders, significantly within the North-East and North-West areas already going through terrorist threats
Whereas Ejiofor acknowledged this threat, he remained optimistic about Nigeria’s means to comprise rising threats with the suitable measures in place.
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“You’ll be able to’t rule out the chance that they may attempt to take benefit, but when the suitable measures are in place, we must always be capable of comprise no matter challenges come up,” he said.
One other challenge that has been raised is that with out regional cooperation, terrorist organisations might increase their affect, utilizing unguarded borders as provide routes and operational bases.
Ejiofor additionally addressed considerations over growing casualties amongst Nigerian troopers preventing insurgency, stressing the necessity for warning in navy operations.
Emmanuel Onwubiko, nationwide coordinator of the Human Rights Writers Affiliation of Nigeria (HURIWA), blamed the bloc’s failure to forestall navy coups and implement democratic rules for the present disaster.
“For many years, Nigeria has performed a stabilising position in West Africa, main peacekeeping efforts and investing in ECOWAS operations. Nonetheless, beneath the present management, ECOWAS has misplaced its authority, resulting in fragmentation,” he said.
He warned that these nations might now search stronger ties with non-African powers like Russia, probably undermining regional unity and safety cooperation.
Regardless of the weakening of ECOWAS, safety consultants argue that Nigeria should set up direct safety agreements with Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso to keep up stability.
“The truth that they left ECOWAS doesn’t imply we will’t have bilateral safety agreements. Folks will proceed emigrate throughout borders, and it’s in our mutual curiosity to cooperate on safety issues,” Ejiofor defined.
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Onwubiko additionally known as for elevated border surveillance expertise and navy presence alongside Nigeria’s northern frontiers to forestall infiltration by insurgents.
Moreover, he criticized the coverage of releasing captured Boko Haram fighters, advocating as a substitute for full prosecution of insurgents.
“The Nigerian navy is succesful, however navy motion alone will not be sufficient. We want intelligence-sharing, stronger border management, and a transparent coverage on dealing with insurgents,” he harassed.
