Leveraging Technologies for Counterinsurgency Operations in Nigeria: Available Options

Abstract

Insurgency is a violent upheaval against a constituted government authority. The essence is to weaken public confidence in government thereby undermine national security. Their main objective is to gain control of the civil population (territory, population and resources). One of the critical ways to counterinsurgency is therefore to win the hearts and minds of the populace which is referred to as ‘WHAM’. In typical COIN operations, technologies are usually deployed with the objectives of defeating the insurgents. However, this is not always the cases as the deployment of some of these technologies often results in collateral damage. Consequently, in keeping with the principles of WHAM, government often deploy precision guided technologies in order to reduce high incidence of civilian casualties. This paper examined Nigerian government deployment of technologies in COIN operations in Northeast Nigeria with a view to identifying the gaps. The data used for the paper were obtained from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data was obtained through unstructured interviews while secondary sources of data include all forms of published and unpublished materials including the internet. The paper identified inadequate technical expertise, lack of AFN technology policy/guidelines and weak institutions as the major challenges of leveraging technologies in COIN operations in northeast Nigeria. Consequently, the paper suggested that the FGN should encourage private companies to invest in producing technologies, set up a committee to begin the process for a new doctrine formulation process for the AFN and enter into MoU with relevant stakeholders that could provide support and services through technology in COIN operation in Nigeria.