By Duff Ejok
Nigeria today stands at a dangerous crossroads. Insurgency continues to claim the lives of brave military officers and soldiers, across the northern region. In many parts of the country, kidnapping for ransom has evolved into a bourgeoning criminal enterprise, spreading fear among citizens and eroding confidence in the state’s ability to protect lives and property.
These developments are not isolated incidents. They are symptoms of deeper structural and institutional challenges that demand urgent, decisive and sustained action.
The repeated loss of military personnel in our efforts to counter terrorism raises disturbing questions and distrusts. How do insurgents muster the courage and capacity to ambush, capture and kill trained soldiers with alarming frequency? Why does it appear that, in some cases, the enemy seems to operate with greater agility and intelligence than the very forces tasked with neutralising them? These are not questions of blame but of responsibility. They are questions that must provoke introspection within both military leadership and political authorities.
Also concerning is the paradox within the current counter insurgency framework. While soldiers risk their lives to apprehend insurgents, reports persist that some of these individuals later regain their freedom under controversial rehabilitation initiatives. Even more troubling are allegations that certain “repentant” insurgents are being absorbed into the military structure. This raises serious ethical, operational and morale concerns. For the average soldier on the frontlines, such policies can feel like a betrayal, undermining trust, weakening cohesion, and blurring the line between ally and adversary.
At the heart of this crisis lies a fundamental issue being morale. A poorly motivated force cannot effectively prosecute a complex and evolving insurgency. Nigerian soldiers are among the most resilient and courageous in the world, but courage alone cannot substitute for adequate welfare, proper equipment and institutional support. Reports of poor pay, delayed allowances, inadequate housing and insufficient medical care paint a grim picture. When those who defend the nation feel neglected, the consequences are predictable. They include diminished morale, reduced combat effectiveness and ultimately, strategic vulnerability.
The implications of continued neglect are dire. A weakened military risks creating a vacuum that insurgents and criminal networks will fervently exploit. The spectre of a nation without a strong standing army is not just hypothetical; it is a looming threat if current trends persist.
So, what must be done?
First, the government must prioritise the welfare of military personnel as a matter of national security. Competitive salaries, timely payment of allowances, improved housing and comprehensive healthcare are not luxuries but necessities. A soldier who is confident that his or her family is secure will fight with greater determination and focus. Beyond this, there must be deliberate policies for special promotions for personnel serving at the frontlines. Those who bear the greatest risk deserve accelerated career progression as recognition of their sacrifice and commitment.
Second, there must be a comprehensive review of the rules of engagement, intelligence coordination and operational strategies. The war against insurgency cannot be won through conventional tactics alone. It requires superior intelligence, modern technology and adaptive strategies that anticipate and outmanoeuvre the enemy.
Third, the policy on handling captured insurgents must be revisited. While rehabilitation and reintegration may have their place, they must not come at the expense of justice, accountability or military morale. Clear guidelines, transparency and strict oversight are essential to ensure that such programmes do not inadvertently embolden insurgents or demoralise troops.
Fourth, the government must introduce targeted incentives to boost morale. These should include hazard pay, life insurance packages, educational scholarships for children of personnel and structured reward systems for gallantry. In addition, there must be robust internal oversight mechanisms to ensure that funds and resources allocated for the prosecution of the insurgency are properly deployed. Too often, resources approved at the top fail to reach the soldiers who need them most. Leakages, diversion of funds and bureaucratic inefficiencies must be decisively addressed. Accountability should not be optional; it must be enforced at all levels of command.
Fifth, special attention must be given to the families of fallen heroes. Widows and children of deceased personnel often face immense hardship. A nation that fails to care for those left behind sends a dangerous message to those still in uniform. Structured support systems, ranging from prompt financial compensation to long-term educational and psychological support, must be institutionalised and efficiently administered.
Sixth, government pronouncements on welfare must move beyond mere rhetoric. Too often, policies are announced with fanfare but remain largely symbolic, existing only “for the optics” rather than producing real impact. This gap between policy and implementation fuels frustration within the ranks and deepens public scepticism. What is required is not more promises, but measurable outcomes that directly improve the lives of soldiers and officers and their families.
Finally, the rising tide of kidnapping for ransom demands a far more aggressive, intelligence-driven response. It is unacceptable that criminal elements can abduct citizens, circulate images and videos of their victims in distress and still operate with impunity. This not only emboldens perpetrators but also humiliates the state. Government possesses the capability, through intelligence gathering, digital tracking and coordinated security operations, to identify, track and dismantle these networks. What is needed is the will to act swiftly and decisively. Every successful rescue and prosecution restores public confidence; every failure reinforces fear.
Nigeria’s security challenges are complex, but they are not insurmountable. What is required is political will, strategic clarity and a genuine commitment to the men and women who stand between the nation and chaos. The time for incremental adjustments has passed. What is needed now is bold, systemic reform.
A nation that honours its soldiers, invests in their welfare and equips them adequately does more than strengthen its military, it secures its future. Nigeria must rise to this moment, not only to defeat insurgency and criminality but to restore confidence in the very idea of the Nigerian state.
The cost of inaction is simply too high.