From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has said the deployment of non-kinetic methods in combating insecurity was crucial to sustainable peace.
Abbas stated this while declaring open a workshop for security based committees on non-kinetic strategies to combat insecurity and terrorism in Nigeria, yesterday, in Abuja.
The speaker, who noted that billions of dollars had been appropriated for the security sectors between 2008 and now, said with the deployment of non-kinetic strategies, the huge budget for defence could be channeled to development programmes.
According to him, other countries, including Rwanda and Kenya, have deployed non-kinetic measures in addressing their own challenges.
Furthermore, he stated that beside the financial cost of kinetic action, the evolving nature of security threats exposes the limitations of relying solely on military action to combat insecurity.
“Non-kinetic strategies such as diplomatic dialogue, economic empowerment, psychological interventions, and community-based initiatives offer a broad and practical framework for creating sustainable peace. These measures focus on the social, economic, and political conditions that drive insecurity.
“Examples from other countries illustrate the value of these strategies. Rwanda has successfully implemented community-based reconciliation programmes to heal societal divisions, while Kenya’s economic initiatives have been instrumental in reducing the appeal of extremist ideologies.
“Nigeria has been grappling with terrorism, banditry, and other forms of insecurity for many years. Our response has relied heavily on the use of force, with significant resources devoted to military operations.
“Over the last two decades, billions of dollars have been spent on defence and security. Between 2008 and 2018, around $16 billion was allocated to defence, representing more than 10 percent of the federal budget over that period. In 2020, the total budget for security accounted for 16.8 percent of the total budget of $27.9 billion. In 2024, N3.25 trillion has been allocated to the defence and security sector, representing 12 percent of the national budget, “ Abbas stated.
He added: “These figures highlight the significant financial commitment to security, but they also underscore the need to consider more efficient and cost-effective approaches. Resources often diverted to combat insecurity could be more prudently invested in critical sectors such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure, which are fundamental to national well-being.
“In addition to the financial costs, the evolving nature of security threats reveals the limitations of relying solely on military action. The threats we face today, including extremist ideologies, banditry, organised crime, and transnational networks, are complex and deeply entrenched in economic and social inequalities. Focusing on force alone risks treating symptoms rather than the underlying causes of insecurity.
“In Nigeria, we have seen some success with non-kinetic measures. Programmes such as Operation Safe Corridor, which focuses on de-radicalisation and rehabilitation of former insurgents, have contributed to stability in the affected regions.
“These efforts demonstrate that alternative strategies can play meaningful roles in addressing insecurity. Globally, economic measures have also been effective.”