INTELLIGENCE GATHERING AND ITS CONTRIBUTION TO NIGERIA'S NATIONAL SECURITY: A CRITICAL ASSESSMENT

Аннотация

INTRODUCTION of a nation-state against both internal and foreign National security, or the comprehensive protection dangers, includes the preservation of territorial https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajiir 142 THE USA JOURNALS THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INTERDISCIPLINARY INNOVATIONS AND RESEARCH (ISSN- 2642-7478) VOLUME 06 ISSUE11 integrity, sovereignty, political stability, economic region (OCHA, 2023). The group's operations not prosperity, and the well-being of its people. The only jeopardized Nigeria's domestic security but idea of national security has evolved globally, also drew international attention, driving regional moving beyond traditional military defense to and global measures to combat terrorism in include economic, environmental, and human West Africa (ICG, 2021). Nigeria also has security security components (Buzan, Waever, & de Wilde, difficulties such as kidnapping, armed robbery, 1998). In today's interconnected globe, security farmer-herder confrontations, and organized threats have evolved beyond traditional military criminal activity (Albert 2015). Poverty, conflicts to encompass cyberattacks, terrorism, unemployment, and inequality all contribute to the pandemics, and international organized crime. As rise of violent non-state actors (Akinola, 2015). a result, national security plans have become more Furthermore, Nigeria's security architecture has comprehensive and interdisciplinary, requiring been chastised for alleged ineffectiveness, the integration of military, corruption, and a lack of coordination, limiting its ability to appropriately address these threats (Ewi economic, and diplomatic tools, as well as strong C Salifu, 2017). In this environment, intelligence intelligence collecting and analysis capabilities collecting plays a critical role in recognizing, (Collins, 2016). preventing, and responding to security threats, A convergence of historical and modern forces has making it an essential component of national influenced Nigeria's national security issues over security strategy (Adetula, 2010). time. Since its independence in 1960, Nigeria has Intelligence is the foundation of national security, faced numerous security issues, including civil providing decision-makers with the crucial war, military coups, ethnic and religious conflicts, information and analysis required to develop and insurgency, and terrorism (Onapajo & implement effective security strategies. Uzodike, 2022). The Nigerian Civil War (1967- Intelligence refers to the systematic collecting, 1970), which was motivated by historical ethnic analysis, and dissemination of information about conflicts and regional imbalances, posed a potential threats, both internal and external. This substantial early danger to the country's information is critical for averting assaults, sovereignty and continued to impact its security combating hostile activities, and protecting landscape (Ukiwo, 2007). The post-civil war era in national interests. The role of intelligence in Nigeria has been characterized by persistent national security is critical, allowing governments challenges to democratic governance, including to anticipate and minimize risks before they frequent military interventions and political become full-fledged crises (Lowenthal, 2016). instability (Adebayo, 2023). Globally, intelligence agencies have played critical roles in safeguarding sovereign interests. In the The twenty-first century has brought new security United States, the Central Intelligence Agency concerns to Nigeria, namely terrorism and (CIA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) insurgency. The development of Boko Haram, a are critical components of the national security violent extremist organization, poses a serious infrastructure, actively combating terrorist acts threat to national security (Onuoha, 2014). Since and foreign espionage. Similarly, the United its commencement in 2009, Boko Haram's Kingdom's Secret insurgency has caused massive casualties, displacement, and destruction in the northeastern https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajiir 143 THE USA JOURNALS THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INTERDISCIPLINARY INNOVATIONS AND RESEARCH (ISSN- 2642-7478) VOLUME 06 ISSUE11 Intelligence Service (MI6) and Security Service Nigeria's security landscape is characterized by (MI5) offer critical intelligence to protect the complex and evolving threats. While intelligence country from terrorism, organized crime, and gathering is crucial in addressing these issues, the cyber threats. Nations such as Russia, China, and Nigerian intelligence sector faces structural Israel prioritize intelligence operations in their limitations that hinder its effectiveness. These security strategies, with agencies like the Federal constraints include insufficient funding and Security Service (FSB), the Ministry of State resource allocation, which impede the acquisition Security (MSS), and Mossad tasked with protecting and maintenance of advanced tech