Security: Military Chief Identifies Impediments To Counter Insurgency

The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Sani Usman on Friday identified lack of a secure communication platform, inadequate capacity of real-time intelligence gathering and joint intelligence training of member countries as impediments to counter insurgency.

Usman who was a guest speaker on the theme: “Intelligence Support for Counter Insurgency in the Sahel Region of Africa.” at the first quarter colloquium of the Buratai Centre for Contemporary Security Affairs, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State called for creation of military intelligence centre in the West African sub-region, in the fight against insurgency; saying that introduction of military intelligence centre in the region would serve as intelligence training centre, thereby helping to build military capacity of member countries.

The Army Chief who was represented by Maj. Gen. Chukwumadu Martins, also identified overbearing external influence in the affairs of member countries as a major constraint militating against intelligent counter insurgency in the sub-Sahel region.

He then called for a reduction of external influence by colonial masters in the internal affairs of their former colonies, while advocating joint acquisition of Intelligence surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) satellite in the region.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, in his welcome address, stated that the higher institution had incorporated security affairs in its 2020/2021 academic session as General Studies (GST), as part of its contributions to fostering security consciousness in the country.

He noted that the choice of Usman as the guest speaker was carefully made by the university’s authorities, following the role of intelligence in devising appropriate strategies and tactics in counter insurgency.