Prominent Nigerian lawyer and human rights advocate Inibehe Effiong has challenged the notion that the country’s armed forces lack the capacity to tackle terrorism. In an interview with DAILY INDEPENDENT on Friday, November 28, 2025, Effiong argued that the Nigerian Army and Air Force are fully equipped with the personnel, resources, and nationwide presence required to confront security threats.
According to Effiong, the persistence of terrorism is not due to military incompetence but stems from leadership failures, poor strategic planning, and inadequate coordination. “The persistence of terrorism is not a reflection of military incompetence,” he said. “It is a reflection of failures in leadership, planning, and strategy. The tools, manpower, and formations exist; what is lacking is the direction and support needed to deploy them effectively.”
He noted that political interference and bureaucratic delays have often hindered security operations, compromising the effectiveness of campaigns against insurgents and terrorist groups. Addressing widespread claims of military weakness, Effiong stated, “I refuse to accept the premise that the entire components of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria…are so weak, so incompetent, so directionless, so inefficient, so understaffed, to fight terrorism.”
Effiong warned that the narrative of military helplessness risks eroding public confidence and deflecting responsibility from policymakers. He urged the government to prioritize reforms that improve coordination, operational planning, and leadership within the security sector, while providing the armed forces with clear directives, adequate resources, and autonomy to act effectively.
He concluded by stressing that Nigeria’s security challenges can be addressed through stronger leadership, better strategy, and proper deployment of available resources, insisting that with the right guidance, the military has the capacity to decisively combat terrorism and restore lasting peace.
Your phone could be secretly spying on you. Turn off these 3 settings immediately before it’s too late – Open Article
You Keep Dreaming of Snakes, Floods, or Your Old House? Here’s What It Really Means Spiritually – Keep Reading
Leave a Reply