Security Reform, Not Private Militias, Is Nigeria’s Solution to Insecurity – Charles Omole
Security consultant and public affairs analyst, Dr. Charles Omole, has argued that comprehensive security sector reform, rather than the proliferation of private militias and armed non-state actors, remains Nigeria’s most viable path to addressing its persistent insecurity challenges.
Speaking on the search for lasting security in Nigeria during “Your View” on TVC on Monday, Omole warned against the growing tendency to rely on private security groups or individuals to tackle security threats, noting that such arrangements often produce unintended consequences that could undermine national stability in the long term.
According to him, historical experiences from Nigeria and other parts of the world show that governments that empower non-state actors for security purposes often face serious repercussions when those groups eventually pursue their own interests.
“The road to hell is paved with good intentions,” Omole said, explaining that several security crises, including militancy in the Niger Delta and the emergence of extremist groups in other countries, evolved from arrangements in which armed groups initially worked alongside governments before becoming difficult to control.
He referenced Afghanistan and Sudan, where armed groups that were initially supported by governments or foreign powers later turned against their sponsors, creating even bigger security challenges.
Omole noted that Nigeria already faces a significant threat from numerous armed groups operating across the country and warned that creating or encouraging additional militias could further complicate the security landscape.
He stressed that while collaboration between community actors and security agencies can be beneficial, such efforts must remain under the control and supervision of official security institutions.
“I don’t see anything wrong with individuals being embedded as part of a police-led operation. The concern arises when such activities are approached as independent missions outside the control of the state’s security architecture,” he stated.
The security expert also cautioned against ethnic profiling in the fight against crime, arguing that criminality should not be associated with any particular ethnic group.
He asserted that armed criminal groups exist across different regions and ethnic backgrounds in Nigeria, making it important for authorities to focus on criminal behaviour rather than ethnic identity.
Omole further argued that Nigeria’s security challenges cannot be solved solely through military operations, noting that insecurity is often driven by broader socio-economic and governance issues.
Citing the United Nations’ expanded concept of security, he emphasised the importance of addressing economic security, food security, health security, environmental security, political security, personal security and community security as part of a holistic strategy to combat insecurity.
“If communities lack jobs, infrastructure, government presence and economic opportunities, it becomes easier for criminal and extremist groups to recruit young people,” he said.
The analyst also criticised what he described as fragmentation within Nigeria’s security architecture, arguing that overlapping mandates and poor coordination among security agencies have reduced operational effectiveness.
He identified intelligence-sharing failures as one of the country’s biggest security weaknesses and called for stronger mechanisms to compel cooperation among security institutions.
Omole pointed out that an executive order requiring security agencies to share intelligence and collaborate more effectively could significantly improve operational outcomes.
He equally advocated the establishment of a robust early warning system combining technology and community-based intelligence to detect and disrupt criminal activities before they occur.
On the issue of state policing, he maintained that while decentralising policing may be necessary, it should only come after substantial reforms to the existing policing structure.
He warned that merely replicating the current Nigeria Police Force (NPF) model at the state level without addressing issues such as funding, technology, interoperability and training would fail to produce the desired results.
The security consultant expressed concern over the recruitment of forest guards without comprehensive vetting and training, warning that the creation of additional armed structures could deepen existing security challenges if not properly managed.
Despite the country’s security difficulties, Omole insisted that significant progress could be achieved within a relatively short period if the government focuses on intelligence reforms, rapid-response capabilities and improved coordination among security agencies.
“If the right reforms are implemented, insecurity in Nigeria can be reduced significantly within six months,” he noted.
He urged policymakers to move beyond temporary solutions and focus on long-term reforms capable of strengthening institutions and addressing the root causes of insecurity across the country.
