The Nigerian Military: Aiding Civil Authorities In Times Of Crisis, To Maintain Peace And Security

Aside the major role of muting external threats and aggression against the state, the military has gained prominence as major contributor in intervening during humanitarian crises, health emergencies, amongst other human and natural disaster as well as peace-keeping missions across the world.

Since independence from Britain in 1960, Nigeria’s peace-keeping efforts have followed its foreign policy which has Africa as centre piece.  The country’s military took part in peace-keeping missions in Congo in 1960 soon after independence. Nigeria also contributed troops to the ECOWAS Peace-keeping Mission, ECOMOG, in the 1990s, which helped in restoring peace, unity and democratic rule in Liberia and Sierra Leone.  Among other peace-keeping missions that Nigerian took part in were the United Nations –African Union Mission in Darfur, Sudan, ECOWAS missions in Mali and Guinea Bissau.

The motivation of the Nigerian military in these missions has always been altruism.  The country has always pulled out after restoring peace and stability in these countries without any tangible economic gain.

These actions further highlight the balance between national and regional security, humanitarian needs and the importance of civil-military relations in furtherance of societal stability.  It also brings to the fore the relationship between civilian governance, deployment of military might and societal transformation.

As the world groaned under the yoke of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nigeria Ministry of Defense Health Implementation Programme (MODHIP), in partnership with the US Army Medical Research Directorate – Africa-Nigeria responded to the pandemic by establishing a public health emergency operations center to coordinate the military response in support of national efforts.

The traditional combat role of the military was redirected to complement this public health emergency response and made seamless by the Nigerian military’s relationship with the National Centre for Disease Control and Mitigation NCDC.  Aside adding its voice to the awareness and sensitization campaigns on preventive practices for COVID-19, providing infrastructure for hand hygiene and screening at all military facilities, the Nigerian Military laboratories were configured for SARS-CoV-2 testing while selected military health facilities were equipped and designated as COVID-19 treatment centers.

During the recent flood disaster in Maiduguri, Borno State, Northeast Nigeria, the military maintained this approach of aiding civil authorities in times of crisis. It rose to the occasion by deploying its personnel and other logistic support to cushion the tackle the humanitarian challenge posed by the flood disaster.

The troops of the Nigerian military in the theatre of operation were quickly deployed to Maiduguri to evacuate residents affected by the flood. The military at the Theatre of Operation in Maiduguri Borno State also activated its contingency plan to aid civil authorities by deploying soldiers to lead search and rescue efforts.

This humanitarian assistance to affected residents was instrumental in saving lives and providing hope to affected communities, thereby complimenting efforts by government agencies and disaster management strategies from states and the federal governments. Soldiers were seen distributing some essential supplies to flood victims, while assisting victims to get to higher grounds for safety.

The Nigerian Air Force in the aftermath of the flood has been airlifting relief materials, providing medications, food, and water supplies to the victims in Maiduguri and its surrounding communities.  The Air Force has worked with other agencies to airlift relief materials to alleviate the suffering caused by the floods.

The Nigerian Air Force says this effort will be sustained as long as necessary to ensure that relief support reaches those affected by the disaster. These, among other humanitarian assistance, are testament to the Nigerian military’s commitment to the overall wellbeing of the peoples and the country.

The response of the Nigerian military to humanitarian crisis will reflect on the nation’s approach to the welfare of citizens to foster national cohesion for development.  It demonstrates that the Nigerian military is not only committed to the defence of the country’s territorial integrity but also to the peace and stability of other countries as well as the humanitarian needs of citizens.