Ambassador Danjuma Nanpon Sheni is a seasoned Nigerian career diplomat and retired Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He served in various foreign missions, including as Acting High Commissioner to Singapore and Consul-General in Hong Kong. He is currently the National President of the Plateau Initiative for Development and Advancement of the Natives (PIDAN). In this interview with the North-Central Bureau Chief, ISAAC SHOBAYO, Ambassador Sheni discusses the security situation in Nigeria, particularly in the North, US involvement, and other issues. Excerpt:
Sir, the insecurity in Nigeria, particularly in the northern part of the country, has continued to escalate beyond human comprehension. Does this mean the situation has gone out of control?
Unfortunately, we are talking about a security situation that continues to be a tremendous worry to all of us in Nigeria. There is hardly any day you wake up without reading or hearing about breaches of security resulting in several deaths across the country, particularly in the northern states. I think the security situation has reached a point where we, as leaders, probably have to consider calling an emergency security meeting, particularly for the North.
Bandits and terrorists seem to have taken over many of our communities. In Plateau State, where we are now, several deaths have occurred within the last week. This morning, I woke up and was reading about Adamawa, where about 18 people were massacred. The same thing is happening in Borno — virtually everywhere. I have a feeling that our security personnel have been stretched to their limits. Yes, Mr President said more boots should be put on the ground, but that will take a while.
Therefore, as leaders, I think we need to seriously sit down and assess what is really going on, particularly in the northern parts of the country, where virtually every community is living in fear. The effects are terrible. There are no economic activities. The rains will soon start, and we will be entering the farming season. People cannot afford to go to their farms because they fear for their lives. So the security situation has actually gone from bad to worse within the last couple of weeks. That is the summary.
People have been blaming northern leaders for watching this situation fester for too long without taking a concrete stand or showing the needed integrity. What is your take on this? Such people may not be completely off the mark. It is true that northern leaders have not come out forcefully — not just to speak, but to adopt a coordinated approach among northern states on how to tackle these nefarious activities. It appears that every state is trying to do its own bit, but we need to go beyond that. Criminals do not recognise borders. There should be more coordination among northern leaders, regardless of religion, ethnicity, or geography. Our people need to come out more forcefully to condemn these criminal acts and, beyond condemnation, look for positive and active ways to confront and stem them. That is my personal view.
But sir, we have seen situations where some prominent people in government have been fingered as being behind these security challenges, yet the government seems complacent and has not named or addressed those responsible. Could this be why the situation has continued?
I cannot definitively say there are people in government who are responsible, but what I know as general knowledge is this: in every criminal environment, there are what I would call merchants of violence — people who benefit from whatever is going on. Therefore, I would not be surprised if some individuals, both within and outside government, are involved in ensuring that these criminal activities continue.
There are beneficiaries, whether through ransom payments or the provision of arms. We have even seen videos of security personnel caught selling arms to bandits. So yes, there must be some level of involvement by certain individuals. Which president was it — Abacha — who said that if crimes continue for a long period, then there must be the hands of certain people involved? I think we should look at this more seriously.
Despite efforts by the government and security agencies, some believe the only way to get respite is through negotiation with these attackers. Do you subscribe to this idea?
Well, I am a diplomat. I spent over 35 years in diplomacy, and I cannot close the door to negotiation. Every situation has room for negotiation, so you do not completely rule it out. Even when wars are fought, negotiations still happen at the end of the day.
However, you must be careful about what you are negotiating and who you are negotiating with.
Are you negotiating by giving bandits funds to strengthen them? We recently heard about ransom payments being made, and it was reported that the money was used to purchase arms. That is not the kind of negotiation anyone should support. Those people do not require negotiation; they require decisive action. However, if some bandits are genuinely tired of fighting and want to surrender, lay down their arms, and reintegrate, then of course that can be considered. It is cheaper than continuous conflict. Negotiation depends on circumstances and the credibility of intelligence. You must be sure those surrendering are genuine and not people who will return to the bush to rearm and attack again. That is why one must be extremely careful.
Bandits and terrorists often target mining sites, especially in the northern states, making them flashpoints. What action should the government take?
Government should come in strongly. Look at what is happening in many communities in the Middle Belt where there are abundant minerals — places like Wase, Kanam, and others. These areas have become targets for bandits. Government must take firm and decisive action to secure these communities. There is a deliberate attempt by bandits and certain individuals seeking to take possession of the huge mineral resources in the Middle Belt. I have no doubt about that. Suddenly, what used to be a normal situation has deteriorated so badly that virtually everywhere mineral resources exist, people are trying to displace communities and take over these areas.
This must be critically examined. Government, particularly the federal government, which has the wherewithal that states currently do not possess, must act. States do not yet have strong security outfits capable of handling this level of threat. Therefore, we must appeal to the federal government to work with state governments to ensure that our mineral resources are protected and that bandits and terrorists are flushed out of these flashpoints.
Apart from this, mine sites have developed into havens for various heinous crimes, including prostitution and drug use, while children no longer attend school. What do you think should be done?
We have emphasized the need for adequate control measures. You cannot leave the mining sector open to every Dick and Harry, particularly unlicensed individuals. Someone can simply come and start mining without consulting the village head. All of this must be controlled and regulated. Yes, government understands that some livelihoods depend on mining and that there are legitimate miners. But there are also illegal operators, including some indigenous people mining without authorisation. These people must be regulated and called to order.
Beyond that, there is an influx of Chinese nationals in mining locations, allegedly committing various atrocities. What can government do?
The Chinese are known globally for exploiting resources, especially in Africa, and more often than not operating outside the law. First, we have the Ministry of Mines and Power, which should regulate the licenses issued to them. More importantly, the Ministry of Interior controls visas and work permits for foreigners. From my experience, I can confidently say that some of these Chinese nationals do not have valid work permits, which is why deportations occur from time to time across Africa. Security agencies must carry out proper checks to ensure that anyone operating — Chinese or otherwise — has approval to mine and valid documentation, including passports and work permits issued by the Ministry of Interior.
Sir, it is obvious that the state of our borders has contributed significantly to insecurity in the country…
(Cuts in) We must remember that borders are artificial creations. In my career, I served as Director of West Africa and travelled extensively. For example, when travelling from Nigeria to Ghana, the only serious border is at Cotonou. Beyond that, between Benin, Togo, and Ghana, people simply walk across. Families live on both sides, attend school across borders, and may not even know a border exists. The same applies in the North, such as between Sokoto and the Niger Republic. These are the same people, the same families. So how do you control such vast borders? Are you going to build a fence around Nigeria? That would cost an enormous amount. The realistic option is to properly man existing borders, but the landmass is vast and manpower is limited. This is where technology comes in, and that, I believe, is the best way forward.
Recently, we have witnessed some involvement by the US in Nigeria’s security procedures, generating mixed reactions. As a retired career diplomat, what are your views?
Let me put it this way: which country in the world has the United States entered and that country has come out better? Just look at history — Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan. Where?
Having said that, we must understand this properly: when the US, or any other country, enters another country, it pursues its own national interest, not yours. Why would the US deploy manpower here to protect Nigeria’s interests? It is for its own interest.
Nigeria is a strategic location, which explains the long-standing interest in having a presence here. I went through some points in the agreement, which state that they are to be here in limited numbers, for a specific purpose, and for a defined duration. Let us hope those conditions are adhered to. It is easier to bring US soldiers in than to get them out.
We also need to clearly understand the purpose of the US presence. What exactly is their mission? Is it to fight Boko Haram? Banditry? Or is it related to claims of genocide or religious persecution? You saw the President’s wife during the US prayer session addressing this issue. She clearly debunked the narrative of Christian genocide in Nigeria. She is a Christian and a pastor, even though her husband is a Muslim, and she has consistently said that while killings occur, they involve human beings — both Muslims and Christians.
Why are we not talking about humanity? You are first a human being before being a Christian, Muslim, pagan, or traditional worshipper. Yes, Boko Haram may initially have targeted Christians, but what is happening now is different. Those recently killed in Adamawa were not identified by religion. That said, if Christians feel persecuted, we cannot ignore that perception. But it is not the US that will fight Nigeria’s war.
So what should the government do, particularly in its relationship with the US?
I must give credit to the Nigerian government for its engagement. After initial pressure, especially following developments in Sokoto, the Office of the National Security Adviser led a delegation to engage the US seriously. That engagement helped halt further actions against Nigeria, and the government deserves credit for that. We should continue constructive engagement with the US, explaining that Nigeria’s security challenges are not simply about Muslims and Christians killing each other. What we are facing is criminality, banditry, and attempts to displace communities.
Sir, last week in Plateau State, four traders travelling to Pankshin were killed by hoodlums, sparking outrage. As PIDAN president, what are your thoughts?
In the past week, traders travelling on a federal highway were attacked and killed. That is precisely why, as President of PIDAN, I issued a statement yesterday. You cannot, for any reason, block federal highways and attack innocent travellers because of crises elsewhere. These are innocent people going about their lawful business. Violence will not solve any problem. We must address the root causes of what is happening in Plateau State — criminality, attempts to displace communities, and internal saboteurs who want the crisis to continue. Killing innocent people on public roads is unacceptable. Plateau people have endured far more than this, but resorting to such actions only portrays us in a bad light, and that is not who the average Plateau person is.