General Williams Call for Review of NIA, DSS, Alleging Ineffectiveness

By Ed Malik, A | ed@ddnewsonline.com | posted January 16th, 2025

Amidst the various security challenges facing the country, requiring all hands-on deck, instead, Major General Ishola Williams (retired), has called for a critical review of Nigeria’s intelligence and security agencies due to their perceived ineffectiveness in countering terrorism and banditry.

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Known for his fiery disposition, General Williams who is member of the pioneer elite course 1 of the Nigerian Defence Academy. During his service, he rose through the ranks heading various commands to become the commandant of Army Signals, Commander of Training and Doctrine (TRADOC) and Chief of Defence Training and Planning, from where he left the Army in July 1993. Since retirement from military, he embarked on another new career path foraying into political and social activism.

The retired General is suggesting the review or ultimately, disbandment of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and the Department of State Services (DSS), underscoring his frustration with their inability to trace the financial sources of groups like Boko Haram and address the support these groups receive from local communities.

His remarks highlight the need for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s intelligence and counterterrorism strategies, focusing on financial tracking and community engagement to undermine the support base of these groups.

He said, “if the National Intelligence Agency, the Defence Intelligence Agency, and the Department of State Services cannot find where the Boko Haram terrorists are getting money from, the government should close them. Is Boko Haram getting money from heaven? Also, if the people in the terrorised communities do not support them, they will get them out. So, we need to find out why the people are backing the terrorists.

“I have told people for the past 15 years that Boko Haram is not interested in the southern parts of Nigeria. They are interested only in Borno State, not in Yobe or Adamawa. They just want to take over Borno State. So, anybody that is telling you they are interested in other places is not telling the truth.

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“I don’t call the attackers terrorists because there is no terrorism in Nigeria. This is because the attackers, who are collecting ransom as kidnappers and threatening villagers to pay certain amounts of money, have gone beyond the stage of terrorism.

“They are now at a particular stage where they can claim any part of the North and stay there. Bello Turji (the notorious bandit kingpin) said one important thing. He said, “The military knows where I am. Come and attack me.” After that, he said, “Okay, since you don’t want to come, I am coming.” So, where in the world can you see that? All the military could say is, “Oh, we will deal with him.” But nothing has happened up until now. And the man is confident. In fact, let us go back to what Sheikh Gumi told everybody. He said the military intelligence and the security agencies know where the bandits are.

“Even the northern governors have said the security agencies are in collusion with the bandits. So, is anybody serious about bringing the security situation to an end? Are they serious?

“That is one side. Look at the South-West, for example. Do you have the same problem in the South-West as in the North? No! Though there is kidnapping here and there once in a while, but Amotekun is doing a good job.

“When you have situations like these, it means our security intelligence is not working as it should. If not, we would have to believe Gumi, who said our security agencies know where the bandits are and their locations in the forest. If that is the case, what we need to look at now are the challenges that the military and security agencies face in their efforts to kick the bandits out of the forest.

“We could say they need weapons, but as far as I am concerned, the military has no excuse at all with respect to delivering on their task because the Federal Government has done its best in providing them with sophisticated weapons in the past. Even up till today, the new president is still buying them weapons and force multipliers.

“However, another vital question is, do they know how to use the weapons in such a way to withstand and deal with the bandits and insurgents? Secondly, are the military able to maintain the weapons so that they can keep working and remain usable?

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“Thirdly, are the soldiers really serious about tackling the bandits and insurgents? Do they have the will to face the bandits and defeat them? For me, if they don’t have the will, it simply means they are useless. So, we need to question the will of the soldiers.

His remarks highlight the need for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s intelligence and counterterrorism strategies, focusing on financial tracking and community engagement to undermine the support base of these groups.