Tinubu Urged to Tap Frontline Intelligence for Security Overhaul
An influential political figure has called for a fundamental shift in how Nigeria’s security intelligence is gathered and acted upon, arguing that the key to defeating insurgents lies not with top brass, but with officers on the front lines.
A Call for Ground-Level Intelligence
Joshua Lidani, a former Deputy Governor of Gombe State and senior member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has publicly advised President Bola Tinubu to bypass the traditional chain of command for critical security information. Lidani contends that “vital intelligence lies with lower and middle-rank officers” who are directly engaged in operations.
This recommendation, made during an interview in Lagos, highlights a potential critical flaw in the current security architecture: the filtering of information through senior officers can distort the reality on the ground, leaving the presidency with an incomplete or sanitized picture of the threats facing the nation.
The Risks of Filtered Information
Lidani’s analysis points to a significant operational challenge. When intelligence is passed up a hierarchical ladder, it can be diluted, delayed, or altered by institutional biases and personal interests. By establishing direct channels for intelligence from the front lines, President Tinubu could gain a more accurate, real-time understanding of the movements and networks of bandits, kidnappers, and other non-state actors.
“If he receives the correct information, he will know where bandits, killer-herdsmen, and kidnappers operate, including their networks and camps,” Lidani stated, framing the issue as one of actionable data rather than mere military capability.
Domestic Capability Over Foreign Intervention
In a strong vote of confidence for Nigeria’s armed forces, Lidani dismissed the notion that foreign intervention is needed to resolve the country’s security crisis. He asserted that the military already possesses the necessary capability but requires the “right motivation” and decisive political backing to succeed.
This perspective challenges a growing narrative that external help is essential, instead focusing on internal reform and leadership. Lidani urged the President to demonstrate firmness with top security appointees, demanding strong performance commitments and being prepared to remove those who fail to deliver.
The Political Stakes of Security
Lidani did not shy away from linking national security to political fortunes. He presented a stark choice for the administration, warning that avoiding tough decisions to appease “political heavyweights” could result in achieving nothing. Conversely, he suggested that successfully tackling the insecurity crisis would make a second term for President Tinubu in 2027 “automatic.”
This frames security not just as a matter of public safety, but as the central issue that will define the administration’s legacy and electoral viability. The call is for national security to be placed firmly above short-term political calculations.
Analysis: A Paradigm Shift in Security Strategy
Lidani’s recommendations, coming from a seasoned lawyer and party insider, signal a growing impatience with conventional approaches. The emphasis on frontline intelligence represents a potential paradigm shift—from a top-down, force-oriented strategy to a more agile, intelligence-driven model.
For this to work, it would require not just a change in procedure but a significant cultural shift within the security establishment, fostering an environment where ground-level insights are valued and rapidly escalated. The ultimate test will be whether the administration can implement such a system without undermining the command structure essential to any disciplined force.
This report is based on information originally published by the Daily Post.