Nnamdi Chife is a security intelligence expert and founder of CHIFE GPS, a dispute resolution firm that specialises in debt recovery, cyber security intelligence, background check, geo-location intelligence and asset tracking. He is a PhD student at the Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology. In this exclusive interview with Olisemeka Sony, Chife speaks on security and other issues affecting Nigeria and Anambra State. READ
Recently, you applauded Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s crackdown on criminals in Anambra state. As a security expert, what do you think the state government needs to do to stop the killings, restore sanity and stability in the state?
I think the approach by Governor Soludo to involve the community groups and traditional actors at the grassroots is yielding some results. He, however, needs to consult with the federal government for a joint special forces operation to carry out clearance operations and rid the state of all bandits and criminals. This can be done via an intelligence-led effort to achieve the objective.
There’s still controversy over the real people behind the so-called unknown gunmen in Anambra and parts of the southeast region. Do you have any credible lead on that?
The unknown gunmen are mere criminals and anarchists. They are known and recent raids of their camps and shrine have shown that they are known and are simply opportunists hiding under separatist agitation to unleash mayhem on the people.
How effective do you think Governor Soludo’s call on those armed agitators in the forests should lay down their arms and allow him to negotiate a permanent solution can be as the way out?
The way out is for the government to tackle criminality headlong whilst having a healthy dialogue with genuine agitators.
The recent revelation by the kidnapped Methodist Primate that military troops provided cover for the suspected armed Fulani kidnappers has unsettled residents of southeast due to perceived partisan role of the military in the region. What’s your take on this?
The military remains the last line of defence for Nigeria. I believe a thorough investigation by the defence headquarters can unravel the mystery behind the alleged participation of soldiers in the kidnapping of the Methodist Prelate.
The arrested terrorists that attacked worshippers at a Catholic Church in Owo turned out to be Fulanis. Does this spate of attacks by armed Fulani pastoralists who have infiltrated most forests in Southern Nigeria bother you?
The attackers behind the Owo Catholic Church killing are foreign pastoralists that have teamed up with local collaborators to unleash all kinds of criminality in Nigeria. Again, one cannot rule out the involvement of ISWAP since they were dislodged from the North East and fled to South and North Central forests. An intelligence-led offensive operation is needed to pacify the besieged regions.
The country seems to be falling deeper into security crisis despite vows and promises by the federal government to tackle them and bring perpetrators to book. Why do you think that government is not succeeding in stemming the tide?
The federal government lacks a comprehensive security strategy to respond to the problem of insecurity in the country. It needs to be aggressive and ensure they deploy an advanced force strategy in curtailing the menace of banditry and criminality. They also need to partner with the states to develop a blueprint to counter the problem.
What do you think is the missing link between official policies and actions?
The missing link to policy execution by the government is the absence of a political will. The president must put his political weight behind the policies of the security and political authorities to ensure an effective outcome.
You recently participated in a leadership seminar organised by the Nigerian military. Can you share your thoughts on that event and lessons learned?
I shared my thoughts with the Nigerian military on social media strategy and how they can use social media tools to advance security and intelligence operations in the different areas of military operations.
Many have been calling for a bottom-top approach to security in Nigeria with community/state policing the preferred option. What mechanism do you think will work best and why?
I will support a hybrid partnership between a state-financed/ controlled police force and federal-financed police. I believe such synergy will help the nation to save lives and property.
A terrorist group recently issued a threat to Nigerians to forget about participation in the 2023 general elections as they would rain fire and brimstone on the country. Do you think such a threat should be ignored?
It’s not just the threat of the terrorist groups but, indeed, every threat to the 2023 general elections must be countered. We must ensure the country does not degenerate into chaos in 2023 because the signs are there for a potential crisis in 2023.
What’s your take on the emergence of Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi as APC, PDP and LP presidential candidates in the 2023 election?
I am biased on the issue of these candidates and prefer to refrain from analysis of them.
For the first time, we see people, including the usually apathetic Igbo traders in Lagos and elsewhere, closing shops to get their PVC. What difference can this momentum bring to the presidential election?
It’s a welcome development to see even Igbo traders troop out for their PVC. We hope they will translate the same to actual voting come 2023.
Are you satisfied that the strident calls for the major parties to zone their presidential tickets to the southeast weren’t heeded despite the parties recognising zoning in their constitutions?
It’s quite unjust for the major parties to deny the South-East an opportunity to field candidates but Peter Obi can offer the region the hope of clinching the presidency in 2023 on the platform of the Labour Party.
What are your worst and best-case scenarios as the outcomes of the 2023 general elections?
Worst case scenario for the 2023 general elections is maximum chaos, going by the threats we see today while the best case would be for Nigerian youths to harness their energy and elect the best candidate.
