With the full support of President Bola Ahmed Tinibu for the Ministry of Defence, the battle against insecurity in Northeast and Northwest Nigeria has long been a significant challenge, with both regions suffering from relentless attacks by insurgents, bandits, and other criminal elements. However, in recent months, there has been a notable shift in the tide. At the forefront of this renewed effort is Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar. With a wealth of experience in governance and business, Badaru has employed a strategic, multifaceted approach to tackle the insurgency and banditry plaguing the northern regions, building on Nigeria’s existing military successes.
By Abdoulaye Kay
A Tactical Businessman’s Precision
Badaru’s approach to addressing Nigeria’s security crisis is shaped by his background as a businessman and former governor of Jigawa State. As the founder of Talamiz Group, and former chairman of critical Nigerian Presidential committees such as fertilizer distribution and non-oil revenue generation, Badaru brings a unique perspective to the Defence Ministry. His strategic thinking is not just that of a soldier but also of a tactician with the precision of a business leader.
Badaru’s tenure has been characterized by leveraging military resources with efficiency, streamlining operations, and ensuring that Nigeria’s armed forces are better equipped and coordinated than ever before. His tenure has seen renewed collaboration between Nigeria’s various military branches, enhancing their collective capacity to respond to insurgencies, and his emphasis on intelligence gathering has helped pinpoint the hideouts of criminals operating in both the Northeast and Northwest.
Strengthening Military Coordination and Logistics
One of Badaru’s key contributions to the fight against insecurity is his focus on improving military coordination and logistics. Under his leadership, the Nigerian Armed Forces have undergone a restructuring to ensure more effective deployments of personnel and resources to areas most in need. The Defence Minister has prioritized the movement of troops to the most volatile parts of the Northeast, where insurgency groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP (Islamic State’s West Africa Province) have long held sway.
His commitment to improving military logistics, including timely equipment delivery and coordinated supply chains, has strengthened the troops’ resolve on the frontlines. Badaru’s initiatives have reduced delays in military action, ensuring that Nigerian forces have the upper hand in responding swiftly to threats.
Successful Military Operations
A series of military operations have been launched under Badaru’s watch, resulting in significant successes against insurgents and bandits. These operations have been designed not just to combat insurgents head-on but also to diminish their ability to regroup and replenish their supplies.
Operation Desert Sanity in the Northeast, launched by the Nigerian Army, has had a profound impact on the operations of Boko Haram and ISWAP. The operation has resulted in the dismantling of terrorist camps in the region, with several key operatives captured or neutralized. The operation also involved close collaboration with Nigeria’s regional partners, particularly Chad and Niger, enhancing cross-border military efforts in tackling insurgency.
In the Northwest, the Nigerian Army, alongside air force support, launched Operation Sahel Sanity, aimed at curbing the wave of banditry and kidnapping that had reached alarming levels in states such as Zamfara, Katsina, and Kaduna. The success of this operation has led to the liberation of several hostages and a significant reduction in the activities of armed bandits in the region. Security forces have also reclaimed several territories from the control of bandits, setting the stage for the eventual return of displaced civilians to their homes.
Empowering Communities through Civil-Military Collaboration
Badaru’s strategy has also been inclusive of local communities, understanding that military operations alone cannot resolve the complex issues driving insecurity. His leadership has encouraged civil-military collaboration, ensuring that humanitarian efforts are aligned with security operations. These efforts have helped restore a semblance of normalcy in areas that were once hotbeds of violence.
By actively engaging with local leaders, particularly in rural areas, the Defence Minister has helped build trust between security forces and communities. Badaru has worked to ensure that displaced citizens have access to relief, and military units have been tasked with protecting food supplies and assisting with the rebuilding of infrastructure in post-conflict areas.
The Role of Technology in Tackling Insecurity
Under Badaru, Nigeria has also made significant strides in using technology to combat insecurity. The introduction of drones and surveillance aircraft to monitor insurgent movements and track supply routes has proven invaluable in the fight against banditry and terrorism. Moreover, the use of advanced communication equipment has greatly enhanced intelligence-sharing between Nigeria’s military, law enforcement, and intelligence agencies.
The Defence Minister has also spearheaded the development of counter-insurgency techniques that rely heavily on technological resources. By harnessing the capabilities of surveillance satellites and AI-assisted operations, the Nigerian military has been able to neutralize targets with greater precision, ensuring fewer collateral casualties.
As Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar has displayed an extraordinary level of leadership in tackling insecurity in the Northeast and Northwest. His blend of military precision, business acumen, and commitment to strengthening civil-military relations has revitalized Nigeria’s approach to security, with tangible results on the ground.
The successes of operations like Desert Sanity and Sahel Sanity, along with Badaru’s strategic military planning and emphasis on collaboration, are pivotal in reducing the grip of insurgents and bandits in the region. Though challenges remain, Badaru’s methods demonstrate a promising pathway toward lasting peace and security in northern Nigeria. His legacy will likely be defined by his ability to tame insecurity with both force and finesse, showing that with the right leadership, even the most complex security crises can be overcome.
