Philip Agbese, a lawmaker from Nigeria, has spoken out against the rotation of military commanders, arguing that it undermines military operations and gives criminals and terrorists a chance to regroup.
While appearing on TVC News on Thursday to discuss the country’s security situation and the continued efforts of the Armed Forces, Agbese, who represents the Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State, made the remarks.
The congressman argued that the military should have continued public support for its efforts to combat insecurity rather than constant demands for the dismissal of service leaders in response to new security threats.
Because newly appointed officers need time to settle into office and execute their plans, he argues that changing military leaders during crucial moments undermines operational momentum.
Some people start demanding the dismissal of the service chiefs whenever there is a security breach. It takes time for those things to settle down once you remove them and put in new ones, and that’s why setbacks happen. The insurgents “get mileage” and “launch fresh attacks” during such time, he added.
National security should not be politicised, Agbese emphasised, even though opposition parties are constitutionally obligated to demand better policies from governments and hold them to account.
We in the opposition think the administration can do more to ensure safety and leadership. However, he emphasised that the Nigerian Armed Forces are a national treasure and deserving of the support of every citizen.
Public cooperation, he said, is crucial to the effectiveness of security forces, and he praised Nigerians for their growing efforts to combat fake news and misleading narratives regarding military operations on social media.
This year, the federal lawmaker revealed, the military had freed at least 1,000 hostages, according to public documents. He emphasised the importance of individuals checking facts before sharing reports that could compromise national security.
To bolster Nigeria’s struggle against insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping, Agbese also demanded more international cooperation in the sharing of intelligence and counter-terrorism initiatives.
Regarding global justice, the senator stated that Nigeria should leave the International Criminal Court (ICC) because the country’s security situation has changed and being a member does not make sense anymore.
Despite the fact that terrorist organisations disregard international humanitarian law when they slaughter innocent civilians, he argued, the International Criminal Court has failed to show the same resolve in prosecuting those responsible.
In addition, Agbese stated that, despite Nigeria’s well-established legal and judicial structures for examining human rights abuse claims, there have been persistent worries that Nigerian soldiers could face international punishment for their activities while fighting terrorists.
When it comes to human rights violations, Nigeria’s legal and judicial system can handle the situation. “The government should critically review whether continued membership of the International Criminal Court remains in our national interest,” he said, adding that the country’s security was a top priority.
According to Agbese, Nigeria should assess international obligations that can impede successful military operations and provide its Armed Forces the authority to react quickly and decisively to security challenges, drawing parallels to countries like the US, Russia, and China.