Rear Admiral Dolapo Kolawole (retd), who previously served as the Director of Operations at the Naval Headquarters, has stated that Nigeria's persistent insecurity and recent mass killings are primarily a result of intelligence failures, not a deficiency in military capability. He argued that improving human intelligence and penetrating terrorist networks are crucial steps towards ending the ongoing violence.
Kolawole made these remarks during an interview with ARISE News on Wednesday. His comments came in response to the confirmed deployment of a small contingent of United States troops to Nigeria and the recent surge in deadly attacks across various regions of the country, including incidents involving the loss of security personnel and civilians in Benue State, as well as significant casualties reported in Kwara State.
He began by extending congratulations to the Nigerian federal government, the citizens, and the armed forces for the Nigerian Navy's current global ranking as the most powerful navy in Africa.
"First of all, let me congratulate the federal government, the Nigerian people and the armed forces of Nigeria on the current global power rating of the Nigerian Navy as the most powerful in Africa," Kolawole remarked.
He attributed this distinction to the extensive number of assets possessed by the Nigerian Navy.
"This is a function of the number of platforms the Nigerian Navy has today, which surpasses that of every other navy in Africa at 152 platforms today. It surpasses even the Arab navies and the South African Navy in quantity," he explained.
Kolawole further elaborated that the size and configuration of the fleet are well-suited to Nigeria's security concerns and its role in the region.
"Our current fleet is very, very much suited for Nigeria’s threat perception and our global ambitions, our regional ambitions, so to say, and responsibilities," Kolawole stated.
Addressing the recent escalation of terrorist attacks and widespread killings, he highlighted that the Nigerian Navy possesses specialized units capable of engaging in asymmetric warfare.
"To specifically answer your question, yes, the Nigerian Navy has a component that can be used, deployed and can function for asymmetric warfare. This is the Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service, the special forces arm of the Nigerian Navy," he said.
Kolawole, who previously commanded this unit, detailed that it was established to conduct complex counterterrorism operations.
"It is modelled after the United States Navy SEALs. Their personnel and sailors are trained for asymmetric warfare ashore and afloat, land and sea. They can function in both environments," he elaborated.
He added that the unit is equipped to carry out targeted operations against insurgent groups.
"This component of the Nigerian Navy fleet, the SBS Special Boat Service, its special warfare wing, can be deployed for operations like what has just happened, which are surgical strikes, decapitation of terrorist camps, targeting terrorists, prevention, protection, and so on," he noted.
However, Kolawole strongly emphasized that military hardware alone is insufficient to halt the violence, asserting that intelligence deficiencies represent the most significant obstacle.
"Let me compartmentalise it. The fleet is afloat. Now we are talking about asymmetric warfare issues on land," he stated.
"When you talk about such issues on land, terrorism and militancy, the most vital component is intelligence. I have to be able to see a face to punch the face. When I don’t have the prerequisite intelligence to know who, where, and what their intentions are, then they are able to seize the initiative," he explained.
Kolawole contended that terrorists exploit intelligence vulnerabilities to carry out attacks at will.
"They can operate where they want, how they want, when they want, without me knowing. So my first basic recommendation is that we develop and improve our intelligence capacity," he urged.
He advocated for enhanced infiltration of terror groups through human intelligence.
"With groups like this, a basic way out is human intelligence, infiltration with moles, having the intelligence services — the DSS, Armed Forces Intelligence, the Defence Intelligence Agency — infiltrate these organisations to the extent that we know who they are, we know their plans, where they are operating from, their logistics base, and what they intend to do," Kolawole advised.
"If I am a step ahead of you in intelligence, I can prevent you. I can be where you want to operate and stop you. I can decapitate your centres of gravity, block your logistics, remove your leaders and prevent you from operating," he added.
Regarding maritime security, Kolawole disputed claims that piracy, oil theft, and militancy undermine the Navy's high international standing.
"The issues of piracy, militancy and oil theft have drastically reduced. They are still there, but there will always be space for improvement," he stated.
"Even with the most effective militaries or policing units, it is difficult to have a completely crime-free environment," he added.
He affirmed that improvements in naval capabilities have yielded measurable outcomes.
"If you observe the improved capability of the Nigerian Navy, you will see a drop in these crimes because of the extra platforms and capitalisation and capacity. It has manifested in improved maritime security," Kolawole said.
Explaining Nigeria's use of private maritime security firms, Kolawole characterized it as a locally developed, cooperative strategy.
"Every country develops unique capabilities that suit its peculiar environment," he commented.
"What you have in Nigeria is a tripod — the government, the Nigerian Navy, and the local population, the communities. The oil resources come from those communities, and they are involved in safeguarding what is beneath their feet, in conjunction with the Nigerian Navy," he explained.
He suggested that this arrangement has reduced conflicts between security agencies and local communities.
"It has eliminated constant conflict and clashes, to an extent, between the Nigerian Navy and those communities, especially militant groups, who are now involved in the security architecture," Kolawole noted.
He encouraged private security firms to foster closer collaboration with the Navy.
"These private maritime security companies need to embrace the Nigerian Navy and see it as a partner rather than a rival," he advised, noting that rivalry has led to "constant tension" and that "there is a need for better collaborative effort."
Concerning the confirmed presence of US troops in Nigeria, Kolawole indicated that this development signifies enhanced military cooperation but requires explicit clarification from Nigerian authorities.
"Basic strategic military logic dictates that if we are going to have collaborative efforts with the United States, there will be a joint operations centre or joint cell where Nigerian military personnel integrate with the US cell for intelligence sharing, coordination and conduct of operations," he said.
He emphasized that Nigerians are entitled to transparency regarding this deployment.
"Now that we hear there are US military personnel on the ground, what should happen next is that the Minister of Defence and AFRICOM should give more light on the composition, strength, purpose and mission of that group," Kolawole stated.
"Until they make elaborate statements on the composition, strength, purpose and mission of this small group, we will wait for them to speak," he added.
Responding to concerns that the announcement originated from the United States rather than Nigerian officials, Kolawole expressed confidence that official clarification would be forthcoming.
"I believe that the Nigerian authorities will speak. The Minister of Defence will soon throw more light," he concluded.
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