Nigeria at war, Tinubu has no strategy to end it: Gbenga Hashim

Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, the presidential candidate of the Accord party, has been vocal about Nigeria's security crisis, but his latest statement has sparked a heated debate about the Bola Tinubu administration's handling of terrorism. Hashim's assertion that Nigeria is at war, led without a coherent strategy to defeat terrorism and restore national security, raises important questions about the government's approach to addressing the conflict. Every day, terrorists retain the initiative while innocent Nigerians pay with their lives, and Hashim is calling for a national security overhaul to reclaim the strategic initiative from terrorists.

According to Hashim, over 30,000 innocent people have been killed in the first three years of the Tinubu administration, with over 3.7 million people living in IDPs camps unable to return home. These numbers are a stark reminder of the devastating impact of the conflict on Nigerian citizens. The scale of this conflict qualifies for the textbook definition of war, and Hashim's statement is evidence of the gravity of the situation. The persistent bloodshed is eroding national unity, increasing poverty, threatening food security, discouraging investment, and damaging Nigeria's international reputation.

Hashim's criticism of the Tinubu administration's handling of terrorism is not without merit. The relentless attacks across the country demonstrate that terrorists and armed criminal groups continue to dictate the pace of the conflict, choosing when, where, and how to strike. This reactive approach to security has become the hallmark of the administration's strategy, and it's clear that a more proactive doctrine is needed to prevent attacks rather than merely responding to them. Hashim's call for a comprehensive national security strategy built on intelligence superiority, a force motivated to be on the offensive against forces of terror, precision military operations, effective border security, community-based policing, modern surveillance technology, disruption of terrorist financing, and a swift, credible criminal justice system is a sensible one.

Hashim's statement is part of a broader conversation about Nigeria's security crisis, which has been ongoing for years. The country's security challenges are complex and multifaceted, and addressing them will require a nuanced and comprehensive approach. The government's reliance on a militaristic solution has failed to yield significant results, and it's time to consider alternative strategies. Hashim's emphasis on community-based policing and modern surveillance technology is a step in the right direction, as these approaches can help to build trust between the government and local communities, and provide a more effective way to prevent attacks.

In the coming weeks, we can expect the Tinubu administration to respond to Hashim's criticism, but it remains to be seen whether they will take his words to heart. The fact that Hashim is willing to speak truth to power and call out the administration's failures is evidence of his commitment to finding solutions to Nigeria's security crisis. As the country grapples with the challenges of terrorism, it's clear that a more proactive and comprehensive approach is needed. Hashim's statement has sparked a much-needed conversation about Nigeria's security strategy, and it's up to the government to respond with a clear and convincing plan to address the crisis.