An army that performs magic for 200m+

What is the population of Nigeria? What is the size of the Nigerian Army? What do we mean by internal security operations? Why is the Army involved in internal security operations? Who preserves the territorial integrity of the country? Boko Haram insurgency. Armed banditry. Kidnapping for ransom. Separationist agitations. Religious and Tribal Extremism. Terrorism. Rescue operations. Herdsmen/farmers crises are all prevalent in the country and the Nigerian Army is in the thick of mitigating these security challenges. This is their life in the trenches, rain and shine in service to our fatherland. Victory is from God alone. And we thank God.

The Nigerian Army is extremely stretched. For example, it has been engaged in the Boko Haram insurgency since 2009 when the group began its violent campaign in Nigeria. Hundreds of fine officers and soldiers have paid the supreme price in service to the country. Many have lost limbs and other parts of their bodies. Yet, we have an army that has kept trudging because of the oath of allegiance they swore to, protect Nigeria as a nation with their sweat, strength and blood. The next time you want to criticize the Nigerian Army, think deeply about an armed force with less than 200k personnel, straining and stretching to protect over 200 million Nigerians. To be sure, the ratio of the Army to the citizenry is about one soldier to 1000 Nigerians! This can only be magic!!

As a military historian, I am conversant with military operations, albeit from a theoretical perspective. However, I had my first baptism of fire when I visited Baga, a town in the Kukawa local government area of Borno state and arguably the epicentre of the Boko Haram insurgency. I was researching the impact of the Boko Haram insurgency on the economy of the Kukawa local government area. My research interest stemmed from the fact that Baga and its environs in the Kukawa local government area were the epicentre of the insurgency and the then headquarters of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF). In the history of the Boko Haram insurgency, the deadliest battles were recorded in Baga before the relocation of the MNJTF headquarters to N’Djamena in Chad.

Prof CCC Osakwe and Bem Japhet Audu in “Nigeria’s Military Operations in the Lake Chad Basin” assert that “since the end of the Second World War, conventional war gradually gave way to unconventional warfare. These Fourth Generation Wars, also referred to as hybrid threats, wars of ambiguity or Asymmetric wars are more complex in the sense that the environment within which these wars are executed has continued to remain fluid, with continually changing coalitions, alliances and actors.” This explains the dynamics of the Boko Haram insurgency. It is not a function of the lack of capacity of the Nigerian Army to deal with the threat. Asymmetric wars are complex and often beyond understanding.

Back to the crux. The Nigerian Army is engaged on multiple fronts. I lost count of internal security operations conducted in the past five years. This is aside from the Boko Haram insurgency. We have read tales of soldiers engaged in operations for years running without having the opportunity to see their families. It is not deliberate or punitive. It reflects the reality of having an army with less than 200k personnel for over 200 million Nigerians. Tell me a part of Nigeria which doesn’t presently have the presence of the Army for one cause or another. I will tell you what it costs physically, emotionally and mentally to an overstretched Army.

Imagine that the Nigerian Army suspends all operations and withdraws to the barracks for one week. What would be the situation? Peace or chaos? Of course, there would be chaos as criminal elements would have a field day. The country would be brought to its knees almost immediately. I encourage those who have refused to appreciate the Nigerian Army for their enormous sacrifices in keeping the country safe and secure despite the glaring challenges they are confronted with daily to have this in mind. The language officers and soldiers understand is to obey the last command of preserving the territorial integrity of the country and securing lives and properties without complaining. This is sacrosanct.

At a recent function, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Taoreed Lagbaja stated that “In a country of over 200 million people, it is unrealistic to expect security agencies, totalling around two million, including an army of just over 100,000 active personnel without a reserve force, to secure the entire population.” He hit the nail on the head for those who have basked in the euphoria of ignorance, and who needlessly criticize the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Army.

What the Nigerian Army does is actually magical. It defeats logic. Let’s be reminded that they are also deployed on election duty just like we recently witnessed in the governorship election in Edo State. As we speak, detachments are also rearing to help secure the off-season gubernatorial poll in Ondo State. Less than 200,000 personnel is like a drop in the ocean. Yet, the Nigerian Army is everywhere. It is an astonishing level of human and material effort in formulating policies and plans using kinetic and non-kinetic approaches in tandem with the changing pattern of warfare in Nigeria arising from the proliferation of armed non-state groups ranging from ethnic militias, Islamist fundamentalist, rebel groups and insurgent movements.

A good example could be seen in the recent rating by the “Global Firepower Index,” (GFI), a reputable source that ranks countries based on their military strength. It ranked the Nigerian Army as the 39th bravest in terms of confronting any adversary out of over 145 countries assessed in 2024. There is no better explanation than purely unimaginable magic. Those who think our army is not performing magical feats should provide answers to how a force with less than 200,000 personnel can achieve this much with the avalanche of security threats across the country. It would be a herculean task and why we must continually doff our hats whenever we see a soldier. That soldier who looks calm is carrying a heavy burden. Unfortunately, the profession does not permit them to show emotions, the reason we think all is well and fine with them. The sacrifices they make are enormous and the weight on their shoulders can grow a hunchback.

The Nigerian Army has so far, successfully managed the country’s internal security challenges effectively and efficiently. This is a fact that can be cross-checked given the highlighted dynamics. This is indeed an army that performs magic for 200m+.

Ocheja, a military historian and doctoral researcher, is an alumnus of the Nigerian Defence Academy.