Federal Government reveals economic motivations fuel North-West insecurity, shifting away from traditional ideologies.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced that terrorism, particularly in the North-West, is now primarily driven by economic interests rather than traditional ideology. This major shift in the security landscape was revealed during a recent policy roundtable held in Abuja, according to information published by punchng.
Maj. Gen. Adamu Laka, the National Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, explained that military operations alone cannot resolve the crisis. Instead, authorities are implementing a combined strategy of kinetic and non-kinetic measures to curb the expansion of insurgencies across the North-West and North-Central regions.
Security experts and government officials gathered at the Abuja roundtable to discuss new approaches, emphasizing financial networks, illegal mining, and regional collaboration as key components in dismantling the growing criminal networks fueling the violence.
Economic Motives Replace Ideological Insurgencies
During the policy roundtable in Abuja, Maj. Gen. Adamu Laka insisted that ideological motivations are no longer the primary driver of modern terrorism in Nigeria. He stated that the ongoing violence in the North-West is much more economic than ideological in nature.
Laka emphasized that military efforts alone will not solve the security crisis. The National Counter-Terrorism Centre is currently pursuing a comprehensive whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to address these evolving threats effectively.
Illegal Mining and Ransom Networks Fuel Violence
Providing further insights, Dr Oyewole Oginni, a senior researcher at the Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies, explained that armed groups are building relationships with criminal networks. They negotiate with bandits and collaborate in kidnapping operations.
Oginni identified illegal mining in gold-producing areas as a major source of funding for these armed groups. He noted that kidnapping has developed into a complex industry where ransom collectors and actual abductors are often different individuals.
Regional Security Operations and State Responses
Authorities have reported successes through joint security operations, including a notable mission conducted in Katsina State in September. Officials remain optimistic that continued collaboration will gradually restore peace to the troubled regions.
Meanwhile, Sokoto State Deputy Governor Idris Gobir revealed that his state government spent billions of naira on security infrastructure between January and August, providing essential equipment to support ongoing military operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is driving terrorism in Nigeria North-West region?
The Federal Government states that terrorism in the North-West is primarily driven by economic interests, such as illegal mining and kidnapping for ransom, rather than ideology.
Who is Maj. Gen. Adamu Laka?
Maj. Gen. Adamu Laka is the National Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre in Nigeria, leading efforts against regional insurgencies.
How are armed groups funding their operations in Nigeria?
According to researchers, armed groups fund their operations through illegal gold mining, kidnapping ransoms, and collaborations with local criminal networks.
What approach is the Federal Government using to tackle insecurity?
The government is combining kinetic military operations with non-kinetic measures through a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.
