Former Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Dennis Amachree, has urged the Federal Government to strengthen its internal security systems and demonstrate political will to end terrorism and banditry, amid reports that the United States plans to deploy troops to help eliminate foreign bandits operating in northern Nigeria.
In an exclusive interview, the respected intelligence expert acknowledged that the reported U.S. plan to intervene militarily could offer temporary relief from the wave of kidnappings and killings ravaging communities in the North particularly against Christian populations. However, he warned that Nigeria must tread carefully to avoid compromising its sovereignty or allowing foreign interests to dictate its internal affairs.
“The USA plans to send troops to wipe out the foreign bandits who are kidnapping and killing Christians in the North. Fair and good, as our politicians have not allowed our military and security agencies to wipe them out once and for all. However, the Nigerian government should be wary of the presence of foreign troops on their soil,” Amachree stated.
He cautioned that while foreign intervention might appear benevolent, global powers seldom act without underlying strategic motives. According to Amachree, allowing U.S. forces into Nigeria could provide a gateway for Washington to project influence deeper into the AES states of Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali areas that have recently witnessed shifting alliances with Russia and China.
“We should not forget that major powers be they America, Russia, or China are not going to intervene in another country and spend millions of dollars if it will not benefit their national interests,” he emphasized.
The former DSS chief also highlighted the untapped mineral wealth in areas currently dominated by bandits, suggesting that such resources may attract competing global interests.
“Besides Nigeria’s oil in the South, the strongholds of these bandits carry a lot of mineral resources in high demand,” he observed.
Amachree therefore called on the Federal Government to “put its house in order,” by addressing the root causes of insecurity, improving inter-agency coordination, and restoring public trust in national security institutions.
“The government should therefore put its house together and honestly address the threat factors for a better Nigeria,” he added.
Security experts believe Amachree’s warning reflects growing concerns that the fight against terrorism could become entangled in global power dynamics if Nigeria fails to assert leadership over its own security agenda.
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