Retired Colonel urges Nigeria to adopt guerrilla warfare tactics against terrorists

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By Musa Ubandawaki, Sokoto

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SOKOTO — A retired Colonel and Special Adviser on Security Matters to the Governor of Sokoto State, Ahmed Usman, has called for an urgent overhaul of Nigeria’s counter-terrorism strategy in response to repeated ambushes on security personnel across the country.

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In a statement, Usman expressed concern over the rising attacks, stressing that they reflect the limitations of conventional military tactics against highly unconventional adversaries.

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“The recurring ambushes should not be seen as a lack of courage by our armed forces,” Usman said, noting that terrorists and criminal groups now rely on guerrilla tactics, speed, terrain familiarity, and local intelligence to exploit weaknesses in traditional operations.

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He warned that continued dependence on conventional combat methods leaves troops vulnerable, resulting in avoidable casualties.

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Usman urged the Federal Government to establish specialized, intelligence-driven units trained in unconventional warfare. He said such small, mobile forces could deliver more effective results than large-scale conventional deployments.

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The retired officer also highlighted the need for a unified operational doctrine integrating the military, police, intelligence agencies, and other security institutions to improve coordination, joint planning, and intelligence sharing.

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He stressed the importance of community involvement in providing critical local intelligence and called for significant investment in modern surveillance technologies, including drones and real-time communication systems.

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“Protecting our security personnel must remain a top national priority,” Usman concluded, emphasizing that modern, intelligence-driven strategies would reduce casualties and strengthen Nigeria’s overall security framework.

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