Yemi Olakitan
For too long, the narrative of terrorism in Nigeria
has been one of distant threats, centralized responses, and communities left
vulnerable in the agonizing gap between a distress call and military arrival.
Our gallant armed forces are stretched thin, fighting a hydra-headed enemy
across vast terrains. It is time for a paradigm shift. It is time to weave a
security fabric so tight that terrorists have no room to operate. The solution
lies in the creation of a federally and state-funded, military-trained.
Community-Based Anti-Terror Response Squad (CBARS).
The current model, while brave, is reactive. We need
a proactive, pervasive system that places the power of security directly into
the hands of the people, backed by the training and firepower of the state.
The Intelligence Chasm: Winning the War of
Information
Terrorism do not emerge from vacuums; they live and
plan within and among communities. They rely on the fear and silence of the
populace. A centralized security apparatus often struggles to penetrate this
wall of silence due to distance, distrust, and cultural barriers.
A CBARS unit, composed of vetted and trusted members
of the community, shatters this dynamic. These individuals know the landscape,
the families, and the subtle changes that signal danger, a new face asking
suspicious questions, unusual movements at odd hours, or a sudden change in
local dynamics. They become the eyes and ears on the ground, providing
real-time, actionable intelligence to the military. This transforms the fight
from a game of catch-up to one of pre-emption, dismantling terror cells before
they can strike.
The Golden Minutes: The Need for Rapid Response
In a terror attack, every second is a lifetime. The
delay between an attack in a remote village in Niger State or a market in Borno
and the arrival of army reinforcements can be the difference between a
contained incident and a mass casualty event.
A CBARS unit, stationed within its Local Government
Area and equipped with arms, communication gear, and rapid-response
vehicles, can be mobilized in minutes. Their primary mission is not to engage
in prolonged firefights but to provide an immediate, organized response to
secure the area, protect civilians, and frustrate the attackers until the
military arrives. This "first responder" capability will save
countless lives and deny terrorists the time to execute their plans
unchallenged.
A Unified, Nationwide Front: Equipment and Readiness
For this to work, the CBARS cannot be a poorly
equipped vigilante group. It must be a standardized, professional force.
Training: The Nigerian Military will be responsible
for a rigorous training regimen in counter-terrorism tactics, intelligence
gathering, civil relations, and the rule of law.
Funding: A joint funding mechanism from the Federal
and State Governments will ensure uniformity in equipment, salaries, and
logistics, preventing the squads from becoming politicized or under-resourced.
Structure: Each of the 774 Local Government Areas
would host a CBARS unit, linked to a central command at the state level, which
in turn is integrated with military operations. This creates a seamless,
nationwide security network.
Terror Prevention through Omnipresence
The mere existence of a vigilant,
officially-sanctioned security unit in every community is a powerful deterrent.
Knowing that every community is a hardened target, with trained personnel ready
to raise an alarm and respond, makes the country a significantly less
attractive operating ground for terrorists. This strategy shifts our posture
from defense to active denial, preventing attacks before they are even
conceived.
Reclaiming
Our Territory
The war on terror cannot be won by the military
alone. It is a national struggle that requires a whole-of-society approach. By
empowering our communities, leveraging local knowledge, and creating a
rapid-response infrastructure that covers the entire nation, we can finally
turn the tide.
The Community-Based Anti-Terror Response Squad is
not just a security strategy; it is a statement of national resolve. It is the
embodiment of the truth that the people are the ultimate guardians of their own
peace. Let us equip them, train them, and integrate them into our national
security architecture. It is time to build a Nigeria where no community is left
waiting for help, and where terror finds no sanctuary.
Let's discuss this! Share your thoughts in the
comments below on how we can advocate for this initiative.
