Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation and a major economy, is grappling with significant security challenges, largely fuelled by various armed groups such as Boko Haram, kidnappers, ethnic militias, and the Niger Delta militants. These factions, each with its distinct agenda, have profoundly impacted the country’s stability and development. If it weren’t for these armed groups, Nigeria would have been much closer to attaining its rightful position as a leader in the black race, as President Tinubu stated in his 2023 UNGA address, encouraging the world to join in this endeavour.
Boko Haram, recognised as a terrorist organisation by numerous countries since its emergence in 2009, has been a major disruptor, particularly in the North East. Their insurgency has caused extensive human and material damage, disrupting socio-economic activities, and hindering government stabilisation efforts. The group is notorious for tactics like suicide bombings, kidnappings, and raids.
In the southern region, the Niger Delta militants, focused on the vital oil sector, have also caused substantial economic disruptions. Their operations, including pipeline vandalism and kidnapping of oil workers, are driven by grievances over economic inequities and environmental harm from oil extraction.
The Nigerian government faces a multifaceted security dilemma, further complicated by other armed groups engaging in kidnapping, armed robbery and communal violence. These challenges have not only strained security resources but also eroded public trust and impeded socio-economic development in our great nation.
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Despite increased military spending since 2009, the situation remains uncontrolled, with new groups emerging. The government’s response, including military operations and amnesty programmes, has been hampered by issues such as inadequate funding and complex underlying causes of insurgency.
To tackle this, President Bola Tinubu is urged to consider a ‘Double Buy Back Arms’ initiative, encouraging armed groups to surrender their weapons in exchange for financial compensation. This programme, aligning with African Agenda 2063 and Nigeria’s small arms control policies, aims to reduce the proliferation of illicit weapons, drawing inspiration from New Zealand’s successful disarmament efforts under Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
New Zealand’s disarmament efforts provide an excellent model for Nigeria. Following the tragic Christchurch mosque shootings in 2019, the New Zealand government took swift action to ban military-style semi-automatic weapons and implemented a voluntary buyback scheme. Under this programme, the government prohibited ownership of certain firearms without a valid exemption and initiated a compensation scheme for the surrender of these weapons. By the end of the buyback programme in December 2019, the government had collected and destroyed over 56,000 prohibited firearms, significantly reducing the risk of future mass shootings.
The success of New Zealand’s disarmament efforts lies in its comprehensive approach. The government engaged in extensive public awareness campaigns, community leader involvement, and a transparent weapon valuation and compensation system. Ensuring participant safety and providing post-surrender support, including job training and economic opportunities, were crucial for the programme’s success.
To replicate this success, Nigeria’s ‘Double Buy Back Arms’ initiative would need to abide by similarly rigorous standards and procedures. The programme would require extensive public awareness campaigns, community engagement, and a transparent weapon valuation and compensation system.
Safety and post-surrender support, including job training and economic opportunities, would be crucial for the success of the initiative. The financing of the programme would require collaboration between federal and state governments, with potential international support.
The government’s previous amnesty programmes in Rivers, Zamfara and Katsina states have faced numerous challenges, leading to their failure. Understanding the reasons behind these failures is crucial to prevent similar issues in future programmes and to create a successful national strategy.
The primary causes for the shortcomings of these programmes can be attributed to the lack of sustainable reintegration mechanisms, inadequate funding, and insufficient assessment of the root causes of the conflicts.
In conclusion, the ‘Double Buy Back Arms’ initiative offers a novel, peaceful approach to Nigeria’s complex security landscape. Its success would depend on effective implementation, community involvement, and sustained government commitment. By enacting this initiative, President Tinubu has the opportunity to lead the charge towards greater peace and security in Nigeria, allowing the country to move closer to its rightful place as a leader in the black race and an example of successful conflict resolution on the African continent.
Hurso Adam , Ph.D wrote from Abuja
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