October 2020
The Need for
Anti-Terrorist Agency of Nigeria (ATAN)
By Dr Baba J Adamu
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Contact
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Government and people all over the
world are trying to find a solution to terrorism.
The authorities are trying to crush the terror
menace through legal action; western powers are
trying to crush it through warfare; however, these
methods are proving ineffective. According to Maulana Khan, the present problem of terrorism is
based on an ideology and an ideology cannot be
countered or killed through military, legal action
or by mere condemnation alone but also through
dialogue and development of a counter-ideology to
overcome it. Nigeria’s strength has always been in
its diversity with constructive dialogue elected to
bring people together, not to set them against one
another and strong because of their differences, not
in spite of them. As one entity, people are
strengthened in many ways by their shared
experiences, by the diversity that inspires both
friends and foes alike and by the way they treat
each other not the way they attack each other.
Because it is both the right thing to do and a
certain path to economic development, growth,
peaceful coexistence and respect for one another,
which has always, been the bottom-line: the
relationship between all northern and southern
ethnic tribes both Muslims and Christians, one based
on recognition of rights, respect, co-operation and
partnership, building a vibrant and tolerant
democracy with accountable leadership to the people.
Among other measures, it is hoped that the Federal
Government will work co-operatively with all
stakeholders toward the Promise of One Nigeria, a
Framework for every community; to re-launch peaceful
coexistence strategy, provide quality education and
make it easier for everyone to build successful
lives and contribute to the economic success of all
Nigerians at large while using technology in an
algorithmic surveillance system to monitor mobile
platforms as well as to create a Social Credit
System (SCS) to provide a peaceful and prosperous
communities.
Finally, following the anti-terrorism
resolutions passed by the United Nations and
international conventions; and landmark UN
Resolution on terrorism passed with sanctions
against a government accused of terrorism in 1992,
nations should uphold those resolutions, agreed upon
by the majority of nations, and work together to
counter the threat of terrorism by creating an
Anti-Terrorism Agency.
RECOMMENDATION
1.
Create an Anti-Terrorist Agency of
Nigeria (ATAN)
ANTI - TERRORISTS ACT OF 2020
Anti-Terrorist
Agency of Nigeria (ATAN) seeks to
establish a unifying core for the vast
national network of security agencies, organizations
and institutions involved in the efforts to secure
and protect our nation, and to anticipate, pre-empt
and deter threats of terrorism in Nigeria and elsewhere whenever possible, with the ability to
respond quickly when such threats do materialize.
The Agency will work to prevent the loss of
sensitive information that would result in damage to
Nigerian National Security and economic well-being.
ATAN will contribute to the collective work of other
Nigerian Security Agencies and form partnerships
with other international organizations, and will
among others:
-
Investigate suspected
individuals and organizations and groups to
obtain, collate, analyze, profile and assess
secret intelligence relating to the threats of
terrorism;
-
Gather intelligence
and manage information effectively and timely;
-
Frustrate terrorism
and build resilience to radicalization and
brainwashing;
-
Act as a
counter-terrorism body: Investigate sources of
threats, funds and compile evidence that will
enable it to bring suspects to justice through
the Ministry of Justice;
-
Advise the Government
and others of the threats and advises on the
appropriate response, including protective
security measures;
-
Manage and coordinate the mass evolving
algorithmic surveillance system to filter,
collect, and analyze staggering volumes of data
flowing across the internet and mobile platforms
as well as to create a Social Credit System (SCS)
to pre-empt and curtail the scourges of
terrorism, banditry, kidnappings etc.;
-
Assist other
agencies, organizations and other Government
Security Agencies in combating the scourge.
BOKO HARAM TERRORISM/INSURGENCY, RAMPANT KIDNAPPINGS, ARMED
BANDITRY, COMMUNAL & RELIGIOUS VIOLENCE, HERDSMEN/FARMERS
CRISES, DRUGS AND ARMS IMPORTATION, POVERTY & ILLITERACY,
JOBLESSNESS & DESPAIR, LACK OF WOMEN & YOUTH EMPOWERMENT AND
SOCIAL EXCLUSION.
THIS REPORT HAS BEEN COMPILED BY ACRD
RESEARCH UNIT
UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF
DR. BABA J ADAMU,
PhD
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Contact
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Humanity stands at a defining moment in history and
the north is at a crossroad. We are confronted with
a perpetuation of disparities between us as a nation
and within us as eloquently put, “Yan Arewa” meaning
northerners. We have a worsening situation of
poverty, hunger, ill health, despair & hopelessness
and illiteracy, including
problems of Boko Haram terrorism/insurgency, which
led to hike in the population of the internally
displaced persons (IDPs), influx of small arms and
dangerous weapons through ports and porous borders,
incessant and senseless killings and kidnappings,
armed youths banditry, communal & religious
violence, herdsmen/farmers crises, drug abuse by
youths and young women including the issue of social
exclusion of many citizens, to name a few. There is
also the continuing deterioration of the ecosystems on which we depend
on for our well-being. However, integration of
economic development concerns and the environment
using the “Peace Building from below”
pragmatic approach taking into account
local input and resources;
and greater attention to them in a sustainable
concerted manner will lead to the fulfillment of
basic needs, improved living standards for all,
better protected and managed ecosystems and a safer,
secured, more prosperous future. No state can
achieve this on its own; but together we can - in a
global partnership and collaboration for sustainable
development.
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