Should the military withdraw from volatile areas?

The Federal Government announced that from the first quarter of this year, it will begin to withdraw its troops from some volatile areas in the country. We bring you views of some Nigerians on this crucial matter.

Comrade David West, Member, Civil Liberty Organization, Bayelsa State

Yes, the withdrawal of military from the volatile areas in the country is proper, but it should not be done hastily. The policy makers and security chiefs should put a lot of things into consideration. It should be certain if the police, civil defence, State Security who are in charge of the internal security are prepared in terms of equipments and discipline to take over these responsibilities.
In some of the volatile areas, such as Borno, Yobe and other areas in the North East, relative peace has returned, so it’s time for military to return to the barracks to concentrate with protection of our territory. But how prepared is our police force to take over this responsibility, will they not go there and start unnecessary road blocks to extort innocent citizens or run after money, for these terrorists to return?
The police force must give Nigerians the benefit of the doubt that they are ready for this task, so that the situation will not get worse, when military is withdrawn.

Dr. Alfa Mustapha Mohammed, Health Personnel, 25, Kaduna

I do not think removing the military permanently from volatile areas is a wise decision. Instead they should withdraw them to the barracks so that they can still keep the peace even though the area is safe and to forestall future occurrences. I am suggesting that the troops remain in the barracks with a commander to continue managing those activities.

Nkereuwem Inyang, 35, student, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

I prefer military working in those volatile areas to the police. If you recalled when the issue of Boko Haram started in the North East, it was the police that was first drafted to the affected areas to contain the insurgency, but they could not until the Federal Government saw the need of sending in the military, a situation that has helped tremendously. So, withdrawing military at this point where the security of the affected areas is not stable means the resurgence of the insurgency. The military should remain there until the last element of Boko Haram, militancy and banditry is being fished out before handing over to the police.

Yusuf Danazumi, Account Officer, 32, Kaduna

Yes, they should be removed from there because internal insecurity is for policemen not for the military. I think what they meant was the military was going to leave and the policemen are going to take over. It is a good idea if the government can equip the policemen with necessary equipment and motivation.

Chief Chinedu Arthur-Ugwa, South-South Coordinator, Ohaneze Youth Wing, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State

If the withdraw military from this volatile areas, that means that the security of our country will become worse, because ISIS and terrorists will take over. Will the police have the capacity to handle security of the areas? The military are very supportive in the fight against insurgency. So for me, I will want them to be there and work with the police and other security agents to ensure that total peace is restored to the volatile areas.
For example, if the insurgent attack a community now, will police be able to carry out the aerial operation as it’s always done by the Nigerian Air Force, does the police have necessary equipment and even manpower to handle the situation?
Security situation should not be an experiment, because it has to do with the lives. The military should work with police to end security challenges in the affected areas.
We know, officially military were supposed to be in the barracks, but with understanding, they can work with police to ensure that peace reign in our country.

Aniekan Akpan, 4, business woman, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State

I think the Federal Government should be very careful with the issue of withdrawing military from the volatile areas, especially in the North East where Boko Haram are operating. Is the police well-equipped to combat insurgence? If this decision is taken in the haste, it is the people living around the areas that will sufafer. Security issues should not be politicized, no matter what.
So, for me, I think military operation is still needed in the volatile areas because their presence alone intimidates the criminals.