The Art of the Impossible

This work is an analysis of the role of intelligence in Nigeria’s counterinsurgency (COIN) and counterterrorism (CT) operations between 2010 and 2021. The article argues that Nigeria will have to deploy, in a holistic, synchronized, and proactive manner, targeted intelligence-gathering techniques if it hopes to effectively counter the threats of terrorism and insurgency. It shows that the effective and proactive use of intelligence contributed significantly to Boko Haram’s persistence and resilience in its engagements with the Nigerian military in the contested zones of the northeast. In order for Nigeria to be able to effectively contain and defeat the threats of insurgency and terrorism, the study recommends the application of the cybernetics theory of intelligence and the triplicity approach (TA). The triplicity approach is the synchronous and holistic use of human intelligence, open-source intelligence, and financial intelligence in Nigeria’s COIN and CT operations. Cybernetics theory and TA emphasize the effective collection and utilization of information to achieve the overall objective of enhancing Nigeria’s security. The study concludes that the use of TA will make it possible for Nigeria to proactively respond to insurgency and terrorism and go on the offensive to neutralize these threats

Boko haram · Criminology · Insurgency · Political science · Politics · Sociology · Law · Terrorism, Counterterrorism, and Political Violence