National Security Is Won on the Battlefield, Not in Palaces.

National Security Is Won on the Battlefield, Not in Palaces. By Chief Malcolm Emokiniovo Omirhobo

The report that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, met with the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, to seek “traditional support” for nationwide military operations raises serious constitutional and strategic concerns.

At a time when vast areas of Northern Nigeria are plagued by terrorism, banditry, and insurgency, the priority of the Nigerian Army should be operational command, intelligence coordination, and sustained presence in active theatres of conflict, not ceremonial engagements that project political socialisation.

The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) is explicit on matters of security and governance:

Section 217(1) & (2) vests the responsibility for the defence of Nigeria exclusively in the Armed Forces and defines their functions, including the suppression of insurrection and acting in aid of civil authorities when lawfully called upon.

Section 218(1) places the operational control of the Armed Forces under the President as Commander-in-Chief, acting through constitutionally recognised military authorities — not traditional institutions.

Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Waidi Shaibu

Section 5(1)(a) vests executive powers of the Federation in the President and constitutionally established organs of government, with no role assigned to traditional rulers in security governance.

Section 1(1) & (3) affirms the supremacy of the Constitution and renders any action or practice inconsistent with it null and void.

While traditional rulers may play informal cultural or advisory roles within their communities, they possess no constitutional mandate in military operations, command structures, or national security decision-making

National security is not a public-relations exercise. It is secured through disciplined military leadership, constitutional fidelity, and focused engagement where insecurity is most severe , not symbolic consultations that carry no legal or operational authority.

Nigeria’s security crisis demands urgency, seriousness, and strict adherence to constitutional boundaries.