We are fighting a digital war with analogue tactics — ex-colonel lambasts Nigeria’s failed counter-insurgency strategy

Security expert calls for tech-driven, intelligence-led command structure from Abuja to LGAs

A retired Colonel and security strategist, Lawrence Owosheni, says Nigeria’s 16-year war against terrorism, banditry and mass school abductions has failed because the country is still fighting with an “obsolete” military architecture built for conventional wars, not modern insurgency.

Owosheni delivered the verdict during the maiden edition of Boiling Point Extra, a public affairs forum focused on solutions to Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

Topic: “School Kidnappings: Securing the Classrooms and Safety of Children in Nigeria”

The programme, hosted by veteran broadcaster Ayo Arowojolu, was transmitted via Zoom and broadcast live on partner radio stations across Lagos, Ogun and Delta States. It was held in collaboration with the National Association of Seadogs, NAS.

“Our machine of war remains predominantly analogue”

The retired officer argued that while global militaries have shifted to information superiority, AI, drones and real-time surveillance, Nigeria’s security forces remain tied to outdated command-and-discipline structures.

“Nigeria’s machine of war remains predominantly analogue,” Owosheni declared.

“Intelligence and communication—not hitherto command and discipline—is now the heart of armed forces.”

He said this structural lag explains why insurgents and bandits continue to exploit gaps in the security architecture despite years of kinetic operations and huge budgetary allocations.

Proposes joint military-civil command from HQ to LGA
Owosheni called for a total overhaul, proposing the creation of a Joint Military-Civil Sector Counter-Insurgency Operations Command Structure cutting across all levels of government.

Under his model, the military, police, DSS, immigration, customs, correctional service, NSCDC, traditional rulers and community groups would operate from integrated situation rooms.
These rooms would be linked by satellite and digital technology to enable real-time intelligence gathering, analysis and coordinated response.

“No kidnappers, bandits or terrorist groups should be able to move across LGAs, states or zones without being seen, crushed and annihilated by the counter-insurgency force,” he said.

The goal, he added, is to make criminal movement across borders impossible through continuous surveillance and instant interception.

Intelligence over firepower, communities at the centre
The security expert insisted that future operations must be driven by credible intelligence from communities, backed by drones, satellite imagery and reconnaissance systems — not by firepower alone.

He also faulted the military’s drift into non-core duties, saying soldiers should focus solely on defeating insurgents while political leaders tackle poverty, unemployment and governance failures that fuel insecurity.

On school kidnappings: “It’s a national failure”
Linking the surge in school abductions to the broader security collapse, Owosheni warned that treating school attacks as isolated incidents only trivialises the crisis.

“Protecting schools cannot be separated from securing the entire country,” he said, urging an integrated framework involving federal and state governments, schools, parents, communities and security agencies.

As immediate steps, he recommended community policing, stronger intelligence sharing, and formal collaboration protocols between schools and law enforcement to secure classrooms while broader reforms take shape.

“Change strategy without further delay”
Owosheni concluded with a direct charge to the Federal Government: abandon the current analogue approach and build a technology-driven, intelligence-led system capable of proactive responses.

Troops recover firearm, military gear in Imo forest

“The Nigerian State and indeed her military should change strategy… without further delay,” he urged.

Other discussants at the forum included ACG Rachael Awosusi (rtd) of the NSCDC, Strategy and Development Expert Yinka Quadri, and Veteran Journalist Yemi Akuntunde.