NATIONAL SECURITY: Diri Endorses Combined Kinetic, Non-Kinetic Strategy To Tackle Insecurity
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has reaffirmed the importance of adopting both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches in addressing Nigeria’s deepening security challenges, including banditry, kidnapping, insurgency, and other criminal activities.
The governor made this known on Monday during a courtesy visit by participants of the Executive Intelligence Management Course (EIMC) 19 from the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS) at Government House, Yenagoa. Represented by his deputy, Dr. Peter Akpe, Diri stressed that military force alone cannot resolve the country’s security issues without complementary social and economic interventions.
He underscored the critical role of inclusive governance and equitable resource distribution in fostering long-term peace, noting that communities that feel marginalized are more likely to resort to violence.
According to him, the Bayelsa State Government has sustained relative peace through deliberate non-kinetic measures, including youth empowerment initiatives, skills acquisition programmes, scholarship schemes, and the construction of roads and bridges to improve access to rural communities and stimulate economic growth.
Governor Diri described the theme of the NISS study tour, “Ethnic Militias and Resource Competition in Africa: Implications for National Security,” as timely and relevant, adding that Bayelsa and the wider Niger Delta region offer a practical environment for such research.
Reflecting on the region’s history, he noted that past agitations in the Niger Delta were largely driven by years of neglect and marginalization, despite its significant contribution to Nigeria’s economy. He highlighted the “paradox of plenty,” where resource-rich communities suffer underdevelopment, environmental degradation, and limited economic opportunities.
Diri reiterated that a credible social contract between government and citizens is essential for national stability, warning that unemployment, exclusion, and hopelessness among youths create fertile ground for recruitment into militant groups.
He commended the leadership of the National Institute for Security Studies for its continued investment in strengthening Nigeria’s intelligence and security framework through capacity building and research, expressing confidence that the study tour would yield actionable insights.
Earlier, the team lead of the NISS delegation, Mrs. Vivian Okpeh, explained that the Executive Intelligence Management Course is a 10-month intensive programme designed to equip participants with advanced expertise in intelligence management, strategic leadership, and national security policy.
She noted that the study theme was carefully chosen in response to the increasing influence of ethnic militias across Africa, emphasizing that their activities pose significant threats to governance, economic stability, and national development.
Okpeh also called for stronger collaboration between NISS and the Bayelsa State Government, expressing the institute’s willingness to partner with the state in hosting future training programmes, including the 2027 EIMC cohort.
The visit highlights ongoing efforts to bridge research, policy, and practical governance solutions in addressing Nigeria’s complex security landscape.
