The military authorities have struck the right chord in its long-drawn war against terror by dedicating a toll-free line, 193, for willing Nigerians to report security threats in their areas henceforth. It is part of a robust intelligence gathering framework that can significantly strengthen the ongoing anti-terror war and positively alter the narrative.
It is a line they ought to have toed long before now. They would probably have recorded more successes in the war against terror and losses incurred in human and material resources would probably have reduced, if this initiative had come earlier than now. But it is better late than never.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major- Gen. Micheal Onoja, dropped the hint last Wednesday in Abuja while presenting the military’s operational update for June and the second quarter.
However, Gen. Onoja tended to obfuscate issues by presenting the information in a rather casual and tarse manner. He appeared to be more interested in reeling off the exploits of the military in the terror war than properly elucidating the toll-free initiative. He merely urged members of the public to support ongoing counter-insurgency and security operations by providing credible and timely information through the dedicated hotline.
The farthest the Defence spokesman went in announcing the dedicated hotline issue was the revelation that ongoing operations in several parts of the country have combined with increased intelligence sharing from civilians to continue to weaken terrorist and criminal networks across the country.
The whole idea is, therefore, still inchoate. Perhaps, the authorities will still unfurl more details such as the specific parameters for operating the hotline and certain assurances that concerned Nigerians would be waiting with bated breath to hear. Otherwise, paucity of information can botch up such a beautiful initiative.
The idea of empowering the general public to report terrorists and their activities in their localities is a concept akin to whistleblowing. That is, squealing or snitching on vile characters such terrorists towards upending their terror networks and annihilating them altogether.
Whistleblowing can, indeed, be a powerful intelligence weapon against terrorism and banditry as it can get security agencies segued into being more proactive than defensive and thus stymie more terrorists’ operations at the planning stage.
It is part of a robust local intelligence framework that will play a significant role in locating terrorists’ camps, intercepting logistics and timely rescuing kidnapped victims.
It is a move that tugs at the tap root of the problem. The bandits and their sponsors are no ghosts. Neither are they as invincible as they are being projected to be. Surprisingly too, many of the marauders are afraid to die and of course, people know where they hibernate and the modus operandi of their ferocious and ghoulish activities.
As the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa, once rightly said, people are the ‘oxygen’ that powers banditry and gives it life and strength. According to him, not only do people harbour them and watch their back by tipping them off to escape military onslaughts so many times, people also constitute the supply chain that keeps their engine of survival constantly whirring.
“Behind the man with the gun,” an analyst aptly captures the essence of Gen. Musa’s pontification, “there is often a village that fears the bandit or protects him. There is a relative who knows where he sleeps. There is an informant who watches the road. There is a supplier who sells him fuel, food, motorcycles or ammunition….
“Yes, some know who supplies information. Some know who suddenly became wealthy. Some know which houses receive suspicious visitors. Some know which young men disappeared into the bush and later returned with money, motorcycles, women and guns.”
Getting those who have the unimpeachable ‘dossiers’ of the criminals or villains among the people to squeal on them is precisely the essence of the anti- terror toll-free hotline.
But the success of the whistleblowing initiative depends on certain factors, which include whether people believe they will be safe with whatever information they provide; whether they will be taken seriously and treated fairly, on one hand, and if adequate cash rewards are built into the framework as an incentive to drive it, on the other.
In essence, if the authorities think that Nigerians will just jump at the opportunity of a hotline to begin to report terrorists without the relevant authorities spelling out clear parameters, then they are grossly mistaken. Nigerians will not touch the hotline even with a long pole unless certain bulwarks that will insulate them against danger are built into the framework.
For example, in certain states such as Zamfara, Katsina, Benue, Plateau, Niger, Kwara (North and South), Taraba, Kaduna, Gombe and Borno, where terrorist or bandit groups intimidate communities; where terror activities have almost acquired a life of their own and the kingpins have become almost tin gods, whistleblowing is useless unless it is backed by enticing financial rewards.
This is because the terror machines of these daredevils have become so ingrained and a miscellany of moles have so infiltrated the military and other security forces, that espying them to squeal on them could be highly risky. It is more so where potential informants fear a high propensity of being identified. Only irresistible financial incentives can effectively counterbalance the potential risks and drive people’s gutsy spirit to venture out at all.
Specifically, a successful whistleblowing strategy could include the following elements: First, guaranteeing privacy in public communications as well as the public confidentiality and anonymity. People are often reluctant to report terrorists or bandits because they fear retaliation. If the military and security agencies can demonstrate that informants’ identities will be protected, more people will be willing to provide information.
Second, building public trust. Communities are more likely to cooperate when they believe that security agencies will act professionally, respond to intels promptly and avoid exposing sources. If previous reports have led to successful operations without compromising informants, confidence tends to grow.
Third, providing a robust financial reward as a deliberate incentive for the potential whistleblowers. As noted earlier, instituting a toll-free line is useless without rewards for whistleblowers. It is irresistible financial reward that can set everyone on the flurry of massive hunt for bandits and their kingpins.
If DHQ and the government are willing to put a N5million ‘ransom’ on the head of every notorious bandit kingpin, for example, entire communities would be unleashed to hunt down these goons for the money. Security forces will be surprised at how cushily seemingly impregnable terrorist warlords will fall into their dragnets if this line is pursued with elan and vigour.
Four, providing accessible reporting channels. A toll-free telephone line is useful, but it should be complemented by secure SMS services, encrypted messaging where appropriate, community liaison officers, mand reporting mechanisms for people in areas with limited telecommunications.
Five, engaging community leaders. Traditional rulers, religious leaders, respected local organizations can encourage citizens to report suspicious activities in reinforcing the message that protecting the community is a shared responsibility.
Six, giving feedback where possible. Without revealing operational details, the authorities can periodically inform the public that community reports have led to arrests, rescues, or the disruption of criminal networks. This reinforces the value of reporting.
An effective counterterrorism whistleblowing programme should, therefore, be viewed as part of a broader intelligence framework, shaped by a robust and aggressive framework of financial rewards. The goal being to encourage citizens to share timely, credible information through trusted and secure channels, while ensuring that reports are carefully assessed before operational decisions are made.
In practice, for emphasis, the most successful whistleblowing programmes generally rely on a combination of public trust, confidentiality, community partnerships and effective follow-up, complemented by financial rewards. In many cases, people are more likely to report serious threats when they believe their identity will be protected and that the information they provide will genuinely help safeguard their communities.
Let the DHQ, therefore, do the needful by unfurling the necessary guidelines for a robust toll-free anti-terror whistleblowing system that will once and for all tame the felons that have continued to terrorize our communities.
