A former field commander of the Joint Task Force, Operation Safe Haven, Major General Anthony Atolagbe (rtd), has called for an expanded and better-equipped security presence in Nigeria’s troubled border communities, warning that porous borders and arms proliferation continue to fuel banditry and displacement.
Speaking in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Tuesday, Atolagbe reacted to reports of renewed attacks in parts of Niger State following the killing of 42 people in Kaswandagi community earlier this month, which has forced residents, including recently freed schoolchildren, to flee into nearby bushes for safety.
While acknowledging recent security gains nationwide, the retired general said more needed to be done to reassure vulnerable communities.
“A lot of things are being done right now to make sure that people are safe, and it is not something the military is doing alone,” Atolagbe said.
“What the military still needs to do is to see how we can expand more into some of these areas and ensure that the public is well informed that security agencies are not too far from them.”
He warned that fear often pushes communities to abandon their homes.
“It is when people feel that help may not come at all that they resort to running away,” he said.
“We should not despair. Let us hope that the military and the police are doing something tangible to ensure these areas are recaptured, reoccupied and lives secured.”
On the proliferation of small arms and light weapons across West Africa, Atolagbe said Nigeria already operates within existing international and regional frameworks but faces serious enforcement challenges.
“There are legal instruments under the United Nations that provide guidelines on how to combat the proliferation of small arms and light weapons,” he explained.
“Under ECOWAS, there is a convention that requires every country to develop a national action plan, and Nigeria has keyed into this.”
He said Nigeria now has a National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, tasked with regulating arms manufacturing, movement, stockpiling and cross-border trafficking.
“These instruments also cover training, information sharing and data compilation among countries,” Atolagbe added.
However, he described Nigeria’s vast borders as a major obstacle to effective control.
“Nigeria has over 4,000 kilometres of land borders and close to 870 kilometres of coastline,” he said.
“Across these borders, there are over 1,000 entry points, but only about 100 are properly manned by security agencies.”
According to him, weapons often enter the country through unmanned routes, waterways and even official ports, sometimes with internal compromise.
“You ask yourself how containers carrying weapons pass through scanners at the ports,” he said.
“There has to be some level of complicity. Such containers cannot pass without someone failing to do their job.”
Atolagbe called for advanced scanning and surveillance technology at borders and ports, citing global examples.
“On the US–Mexico border, they deploy vehicle and cargo inspection systems that can scan containers and vehicles,” he said.
“Nigeria needs to acquire similar equipment and also redesign road networks so vehicles must pass through designated inspection points.”
He also described recent United States military support to Nigeria as a positive development, noting its impact on counter-terrorism operations.
“During President Trump’s first term, aircraft deliveries to Nigeria were game changers,” Atolagbe said.
“They are still serving as force multipliers in defeating terrorists.”
He dismissed claims that US military involvement targeted civilians.
“This is not restricted to Nigeria alone,” he said.
“ISWAP operates across borders, and operations against them have also taken place outside Nigeria. This cooperation is a good measure.”
Atolagbe concluded by urging sustained investment in border security, technology and regional cooperation to curb insecurity and restore confidence in affected communities.
Boluwatife Enome
Follow us on:
