In view of the spate of insurgency, terrorism, religious extremism and insecurity challenges that is presently prevalent in Nigeria, as well as the counterinsurgency and anti-terrorism wars currently mounted by the Federal Government to restore peace, security and order into the country, a professor of African History and Peace & Conflict Consultant delivered a lecture on insurgency wars in African forests with particular emphasis on Sambisa Forest.

Professor Isaac Olawale Albert, a Professor of African History, Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Ibadan, delivered the 40th University lecture on the topic; ‘Beyond Nigeria’s Sambisa: Forests, Insurgency and Counterinsurgency in Africa’ at Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, on Thursday 15th of June, 2017.

          Prof Isaac Albert (2nd Left) flanked by colleagues and well-wishers

According to the Professor, the lecture was born out of a deep interest in the study of force multipliers and force “de-multiplier” in insurgency and counterinsurgency, while noting further that his interest in the topic of the lecture was fuelled by the realisation that at least half the wars fought around the world in the twentieth century took place in forested areas.  

Affirming that most people know more about the social and economic benefits of forests and how to further boost them, Prof. Albert who is also the Director of the Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies (IPSS), University of Ibadan however, pointed out that not many academic works exist on the military and security implications of African forests, hence, majority of people are not aware of the negative consequences that these terrorist and counterterrorist attacks are having on our forests.

The focus of the academic work problematized and interlinked forests, insurgency and counterinsurgency, as well as expounded on how insurgents, terrorists and militants use forests as a safe haven and how forests slow down counterinsurgency operations, while using Nigeria’s Sambisa and other forests in Africa to illustrate the nature of this problem.

According to him, “The Sambisa forest has been taken over by the Boko Haram terrorists. Unfortunately, the environments of the forest, the mountains, the rocks, the rivers in the forest, are impeding free movement of the Nigerian Troops and that slows down the military operations. Therefore, the thrust of my lecture is that to conquer Boko Haram, the Nigeria military must first capture and conquer Sambisa forest.”

The Professor further explained that the set-backs experienced of the Nigerian Military in the Sambisa forest is also experienced by the military of other countries like Congo and Uganda where forests are shielding insurgents and counterinsurgency operations are facing problems. He therefore urged African leaders to study forests more closely.

The Academic stated that lecture is a clarion call for Nigerians to equip themselves for the future, since it has been observed that the bloodiest battles fought in the contemporary Nigerian society are taking place in Sambisa forest and Niger Delta mangrove creeks, adding that it is most likely that future battles will be fought in other forests in Nigeria.

Speaking to CEOAfrica at the end of the lecture, Prof Albert expressed joy at the success of the lecture. He said “I am excited that my lecture has addressed a critical issue in the security of this country as well as the threat posed to the security of the Nigerian state by our poorly managed forest. I want the lecture to challenge the Army, Foresters and every other Nigerians to take up better security measures to counter insurgency. The academic and the military can work together so that more research projects will be done to expand the structures for defending our country.”

Professor CBN Ogbogbo, Head of Department of History, University of Ibadan and President Historical Society of Nigeria

Also speaking to CEOAfrica, the Head of History Department, University of Ibadan and President Historical Society of Nigeria, Professor Ogbogbo CBN, stated that there is no way insurgency can be fought without interrogating its history. “To understand insurgency, you must understand the dynamics of insurgency through the ages. So when you have the knowledge of its history, you will be in a position to begin to tinker with a solution. The lecture is focused on insurgency and the calibre of people present presupposes that he has spoken to the right audience. This lecture will force all stakeholders to rethink insurgency and how to tackle it,” he said.

Prof Oyesoji Aremu speaking to CEOAfrica after the Lecture

The Director of University of Ibadan Distance Learning Centre (DLC), Professor Oyesoji Aremu who spoke with CEOAfrica said the lecture raised some fundamental issues with respect to forest management and security studies. He said “I agree with Prof Albert on the issue of forest resources management because if you don’t understand the forest environment, it might be difficult to rid the forest of criminals.”

Hon Mrs Adepeju Esan, a Development Consultant, Farmer and Politician while responding to questions from CEOAfrica said “Kudos should be given to the Nigerian Army because some Army of some other countries may not be able to perform as well as our Army when faced with similar problem. Despite the different challenges they encounter, they still perform well and I know that if given the enabling empowerment, they can do better.”

            Hon Mrs Adepeju Esan speaking to CEOAfrica after the Lecture

Also speaking to CEOAfrica, Dr Tony Mario, a Gynaecologist agreed that it is essential for military forces to know the terrain in which the enemies are functioning which makes it important to learn more about the terrain.