By Adeola Badru

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, has emphasised that the diversity of Nigeria’s security threats demanded innovative, context-specific solutions grounded in a comprehensive, multidimensional national security strategy.

He observed that the country faces a wide spectrum of security challenges beyond Boko Haram, stressing that identifying these threats and understanding their socio-geographic dimensions is crucial to designing tailored and effective responses.

This was contained in a statement issued by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, following a courtesy visit to the monarch’s palace by leaders and participants of Executive Intelligence Management Course 19 from the National Institute of Security Studies, Abuja.

The paramount ruler noted that the largely domestic character of ethnic militias underscored the need for an integrated security approach that included expanded access to government services, social development initiatives, and job creation.

According to him: “Integrated security also entails widening access to justice. Accessible and trusted justice mechanisms can serve as a vehicle for conflict mitigation as well as defusing tensions between communities or with the government. Rulings by courts, in turn, must be respected and upheld by security actors.“

“This review reveals, especially with regards to security sector violence against civilians, repeated instances of security services disregarding judicial rulings, thereby exacerbating social tensions and undermining the rule of law.“

“Another recurring challenge observed across multiple security contexts is the need to sustain a security presence in outlying areas.“

“Our security forces have repeatedly been able to clear militant groups from territory they’ve held, be it Boko Haram in the North East, criminal groups in the North West, or pirates and armed gangs in the South West or South South.“

“However, the inability to sustain a security presence creates a security vacuum that has enabled these militant groups to regroup and revive their predatory activities.“

“Communities that are caught up in the middle of these shifting security frontlines are left in a vulnerable position.“

“For Nigeria to turn the corner vis-à-vis these militant groups, the government and security forces will need to be able to sustain an ongoing and accountable security presence in these contested regions.“

“As Nigeria’s challenges are largely domestic in nature, this national security strategy will require active citizen engagement. Citizen cooperation is the most essential element of a successful response,” Oba Owoade stressed.

The Alaafin further warned that ethnic militias posed a grave threat to democracy by fuelling insecurity, undermining state authority, and destabilising political processes through violence.

He added that such groups are detrimental to any nation, as they erode state sovereignty, weaken national unity, and inflict significant damage on social, economic, and political stability.

“They often emerge from institutional failure and marginalised groups’ grievances, but their operations frequently evolve into violent criminality, such as kidnappings, killings, and the destruction of infrastructures,” the Alaafin said.

Earlier, the leader of the visiting delegation, Hajia Halima Ibrahim, explained that their visit formed part of their intelligence-gathering course, aimed at drawing from the Alaafin’s extensive knowledge and experience on ethnic militias, their implications, and possible solutions for national development.