INTELLIGENCE MANAGEMENT AND ITS IMPACT ON SECURITY IN JOS NORTH LGA PLATEAU STATE

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

Intelligence simply refers the collection of information of security or political value. It is common knowledge that nations require intelligence about their immediate environment and that of other nations. This is necessary because, in order to guarantee their security, they need to keep track of internal and external threats (Lowenthal, 2000). Consequently, nations require certain instruments to contain these threats. These are a strong military supported by an intelligence apparatus. Also, nations adopt strategies and policies such as defence and security policies to enable them to respond appropriately and safeguard them from both external and internal threats (Enahoro, 2010). Intelligence, as a critical tool of statecraft, provides the necessary warning about imminent threats policy makers in order to protect a nation from being subjected to surprise military attacks. Intelligence as a security strategy is able to avert imminent threats to a country by providing timely, processed information to national security decision makers. This is achieved through the acquisition of covert information by covert means on the actions, policies and capabilities of other nations. The information, which is of utmost importance to national security, is collected, analyzed and disseminated for use to support action. Thus, the role of intelligence is to support action that may be deemed necessary in the furtherance of national interests (Lowenthal, 2007). Intelligence is a critical element in the success of all human endeavour, be it in business, governance or military operations. In the context of military operations, intelligence is vital for guiding operations. If the intelligence is right; chances are that the operation will be successful. The significance of this assertion was illustrated in the operations Desert shield and Desert storm in the Persian Gulf War of 1991. Adequate intelligence was provided to the US military during these operations. The operations were successful due to the accuracy of the indepth intelligence on enemy vulnerabilities, capabilities and intentions. Security operations are the procedures and actions taken by security agencies to protect lives and properties in order to ensure there is no state of insecurity within a society. The conduct of security operations in Nigeria is shaped by the peculiarity of the security environment; thus, security operation could be proactive or reactive. When it is proactive, it involves essentially the use of intelligence to avert any threat to national security. These threats could be in the form of sabotage, subversion, terrorism and all other destructive actions that could undermine national security. Reactive security operations involve the use of security apparatuses to contain conflicts that are already on ground. When that happens, states involve security operations that are reactive in nature and the use of military force is employed in conjunction with national intelligence assets to contain threats (Jackson et al, 2004).

In Nigeria, these internal threats manifest mostly in the form of communal conflicts, both inter and intra, ethnic, religious as well as finding expression in militant activities. Typical examples of a security operation in plateau state is the operation safe haven. The mandate of these security operations was to reverse the state of insecurity in the affected areas. Nigeria has had to grapple over the years with the challenge of inadequate intelligence sharing amongst its security and law enforcement agencies. The non effectiveness of the intelligence in support of security operations in Nigeria are attributed to inadequate human and technical intelligence capabilities.

STATEMENT OF THE  PROBLEM

To conduct intelligence activities, the Federal Government has a variety of agencies such as the Department of State Service (DSS) also known as the state security service (SSS), the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA). These security agencies have over time developed capacities to produce timely and accurate intelligence to confront cases that threaten national unity and security. Regrettably, the proper management and accurate designation of tasks for these intelligence agencies to support national security objectives has been a major problem. In the same vein, the views of operatives that intelligence management in Nigeria appears to be with lack of analytical skills, and questionable real time intelligence which negates the value of intelligence product in security operations. These contending issues have therefore thrown up renewed interest in the analysis of intelligence management and support to security operations in Nigeria in recent years.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. Is there a relationship between intelligence management and security in Jos North LGA?
2. What is the relationship between intelligence management and security management in Jos North LGA?
3. How can intelligence management and security be improved in jos north LGA?

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

1. To find out whether there is a relationship between intelligence management and security in Jos North LGA.
2. To identify the nature of the relationship between intelligence management and security management in Jos North LGA.
3. To find ways through which intelligence and security can be improved upon in Jos North LGA.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study would be of immense importance to government at all levels, security agencies and all related stakeholders as it would highlight the role of intelligence on security in Jos North LGA with a view to providing improved security to lives and properties which is a major responsibility of government in Jos North LGA of plateau state. The study would also benefit students, researchers and scholars who are interested in developing further studies on the subject matter by being a source of related and recent literature.

SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study is on intelligence management and its impact on security using department of state security (DSS) in Lagos state as a case study.