Tougher security challenges seem to inevitably befall the nation as the Nigerian Army has concluded plans to hand over all internal security operations to the police.
This decision was a sequel to the petition written to the president by the police authority in which it was alleged that the Nigerian Army has taken over the traditional duties of the Nigerian Police Force. The new security arrangement handing over internal security has therefore been approved by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Burutai.
It has been reliably gathered that the new development was also necessitated by the claims of bolstered confidence among the police personnel in addition to the claim of newly acquired equipment. These twin advantages are perceived by the police authority to have put force in good stead to effectively maintain internal security in the country.
It was also gathered however that the police are to be fully supported by Nigerian Air Force in the counter-insurgency operations in the North East.
Consequent to this development, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu has immediately ordered the deployment of two Special Police Force Squadrons to the North East.
However, security experts and many Nigerians have raised an alarm that this development could worsen the security situation in the North East and the country at large. Also, many Nigerians have raised serious concern that the new development clearly portends a grave danger of reversing the successes so far recorded by the Nigerian Army in the counter-terrorism operations.
Meanwhile, security-conscious Nigerians have also described the planned withdrawal of the Nigerian Army from nationwide internal security operations as a looming calamity that will give impetus to Boko Haram terrorists, armed bandits, and kidnappers across the country.