Organised Crime: The Need for a Dual Approach to Combat Crime in Nigeria
According to recent reports, Nigeria has been ranked second in Africa and fifth worldwide in terms of its crime index. To effectively tackle this issue, critical stakeholders have come together to propose a combination of both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches.
During a one-day international conference titled ‘Organised Crime Network as Emergent Threats to National Security’ held in Abuja, security experts unanimously agreed that relying solely on the kinetic approach, which focuses on direct action and force, is not enough to combat organised crime. They stressed the crucial role that the non-kinetic approach plays in achieving success.
The Chief of Army Staff, Major General TA Lagbaja, who addressed the conference, emphasized that the collaboration of community leaders, community dwellers, and traditional institutions is vital in the fight against organised crime. Major General Lagbaja asserted that the non-kinetic approach, which relies on intelligence gathering and community involvement, accounts for 80% of the solution, while the kinetic approach makes up the remaining 20%. He also highlighted the importance of gaining the support and cooperation of the people living in areas affected by crime, such as the Niger Delta.
Professor Sheikh Ahmad Abdullahi, the Chancellor of Igbinedion University, expressed his expectations for the conference to provide a blueprint for curbing organised crime not only in Nigeria but also in Africa and worldwide. He acknowledged the exponential rise in crime rates and stressed the need for innovative approaches to combat this emergent threat effectively.
Former Chief of Army Staff and ex-Minister of Interior, Lt Gen Abdulrahman Dambazau, who chaired the conference, reflected on past experiences with organised crime, including 419 scams, Boko Haram, the Italian Mafia, and the history of criminal networks. He highlighted the importance of understanding the origins and nature of organised crime to effectively tackle the current challenges.
The keynote speaker, Dr Solomon Arase, Chairman of the National Police Commission and former Inspector General of Police, presented an overview of how organised crime has evolved in Nigeria. He highlighted the prevalence of 419 scams and money laundering in the early 1990s, as well as the emergence of Boko Haram, Niger Delta militancy, and banditry in more recent years. Dr Arase emphasized the need for comprehensive strategies to combat these various forms of criminal activity.
In conclusion, the consensus among critical stakeholders is clear: a dual approach combining both kinetic and non-kinetic methods is essential to address the growing issue of organised crime in Nigeria. By leveraging the support of community leaders, community dwellers, and intelligence tools, it becomes possible to gather credible information and effectively combat organised crime. The conference provided a platform for experts to share their insights and propose innovative solutions towards achieving success in the fight against organised crime.
