A former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to late Gen. Sani Abacha, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha (rtd) has shared strategies on how the new Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Major-General Farouk Yahaya can end Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria.
Al-Mustapha stated that the Army must employ the strategy of speed and surprise if he wants to defeat the insurgents within the shortest possible time.
This is as he revealed that some powerful countries are responsible for the small arms proliferation and insecurity in Nigeria because of their selfish interests.
He added that these countries have been executing their ‘evil plans’ since 1972.
He spoke on Sunday in Abuja during a chat with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in which he described the new COAS as a younger brother.
“Delaying the fight against Boko Haram will be a great disservice to Nigeria. The earlier we crush them, the better.
“Speed is very vital, because we are not fighting a conventional war, speed matters a lot because Nigeria should recover from this speedily as much as possible.
“I know this is possible because I have done some homework,” Al Mustapha said.
He added that he has reached out to Yahaya to congratulate him on his appointment and urged him to engage with other security agencies in fighting the terrorists to ensure they are totally defeated.
“He is our younger brother, I have prayed for him and wished him well on the appointment.
“I spoke with him and what I sent to him in a text message were prayers for him to succeed.
“There are different ways for him to succeed in overcoming the numerous security challenges bedevilling the country.”
“My advice is that the army should not be alone because it is not a military affair alone.
“Boko Haram for example has been on for more than 20 years from my account, that is from conception to its maturity.
“If you want to contain an insurgency, every single detail of its activities should be on your palm, that is when you can say am on top of the situation.
“You have to get their sources of logistics, their electronic support and capabilities, what they do on daily basis and how they get information among others,” he added.
Al Mustapha also blamed some other countries for the security challenges facing Nigeria, saying these countries have been actualizing a grand plan to retard Nigeria’s development since 1972.
“Our security challenge also has its root in the grand design by some powerful countries as far back as 1972 to retard Nigeria’s development.
“That’s why the country is facing security challenges from all facets at the same time.
“Our past mistakes have to do with viewing issues from narrow perspectives and that is why we must be very wide and open now,” he said.
He noted that the security challenges must be overcome as soon as possible so the military can go back to the barracks and allow the Police to perform their traditional roles.
“We need to end all these challenges as quickly as possible, so that the military can go back to the barracks to face its primary role of protecting the territorial integrity of Nigeria.
“Internal security operation has reduced the value of the military because they are taking over the role of the police, which is a disservice.
“We have to end these crises so that the police can effectively take over their function, train and expand their capacity, ” Al-Mustapha said.
This article was originally published on Nigeria News