Is Nigeria’s Gambia Deployment a Misplaced Priority Amidst Domestic Insecurity?

The recent announcement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to deploy Nigerian Army personnel to The Gambia to combat banditry and restore peace has stirred considerable debate, particularly among Nigerians grappling with persistent insecurity at home. While Nigeria’s commitment to regional stability and its role within ECOWAS are commendable, the timing of this particular deployment raises serious questions about misplaced priorities and the optimal allocation of our nation’s strained security resources.

Nigeria is currently battling a multi-faceted security crisis of unprecedented scale. From the lingering insurgency in the North-East to the widespread banditry and kidnapping syndicates plaguing the North-West and North-Central regions, and the rise of secessionist agitations and cultism in the South-East and South-South, virtually no part of the country is immune to violence and instability. Lives are lost daily, communities are displaced, and economic activities are severely hampered by the pervasive sense of fear and insecurity.

In this grim context, the deployment of even a single contingent of highly trained soldiers to an external mission, no matter how noble the cause, feels like a decision made in isolation from the pressing realities on the ground. The argument often made for such deployments is that regional stability ultimately benefits Nigeria. While this holds truth in theory, the immediate and tangible threat to Nigerian citizens comes from within its own borders.

Our armed forces are stretched thin, often battling multiple fronts simultaneously. Personnel are fatigued, equipment is in constant need of maintenance and upgrades, and resources for intelligence gathering and rapid response are perpetually challenged. Sending troops abroad, regardless of whether it’s part of a larger ECOWAS mandate, means diverting vital manpower, logistics, and strategic focus that could otherwise be dedicated to protecting Nigerian lives and property.

Critics argue that charity begins at home. Before Nigeria can effectively project power and peace externally, it must first secure its own domain. Every soldier deployed to The Gambia is a soldier not available to confront bandits in Kaduna, kidnappers in Zamfara, or insurgents in Borno. The perception among many Nigerians is that their government is prioritizing external commitments over their immediate safety and well-being. This can lead to frustration and a sense of abandonment, eroding public trust in the state’s ability to fulfill its primary responsibility: the protection of its citizens.

Furthermore, while The Gambia’s security challenges are valid, it is crucial to assess the direct and immediate threat they pose to Nigeria’s national security interests compared to the existential threats posed by internal insecurity. Are we fully maximizing our resources to decisively defeat the domestic threats that are actively destabilizing our nation and inflicting immense suffering on our people?

President Tinubu inherited a complex security landscape. His administration has promised to prioritize security. For many, a true prioritization would involve an inward-looking strategy, focusing every available resource on crushing the various hydra-headed monsters of insecurity within Nigeria. Only then, with a securely established home front, can Nigeria truly and effectively champion regional peace without compromising the safety of its own citizens. The current deployment, while perhaps well-intentioned, risks being seen as a dangerous distraction at a time when Nigeria desperately needs all hands on deck to fight its own battles.