…. Cautions against frequent change of Service Chiefs

A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, has called for a review of Nigeria’s continued membership of the International Criminal Court (ICC), while cautioning against the frequent replacement of service chiefs in the face of the country’s security challenges.

 

Philip Agbese, who represents Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State, made the call during an interview on TVC News on Thursday, where he assessed the country’s security situation and the efforts of the Armed Forces in tackling terrorism, banditry and other forms of criminality.

 

The lawmaker argued that frequent changes in the military’s top command could disrupt operational momentum and give terrorists and other criminal elements an opportunity to regroup and exploit transitional periods.

 

He said the Armed Forces had recorded appreciable successes in the fight against insecurity and should therefore be given sustained support instead of being subjected to recurring calls for the removal of service chiefs whenever attacks occur.

 

“Each time there are security issues, some people begin to call for the removal of the service chiefs. Those things cause setbacks because when you remove them and bring in new ones, they try to introduce different approaches, and it takes time for them to settle down.

 

“Within that period, insurgents gain mileage and launch fresh attacks,” he said.

 

Agbese, a member of the Labour Party, acknowledged the responsibility of opposition parties to hold the government accountable and demand improved governance, but stressed that national security should not become a partisan issue.

 

He said the Armed Forces belonged to the entire country and should receive the collective support of Nigerians irrespective of political affiliation.

 

“As members of the opposition, we believe government can always do more in providing leadership and security. But when it comes to the Armed Forces, they belong to all Nigerians and deserve our collective support,” he stated.

 

The lawmaker also commended Nigerians for increasingly challenging what he described as misinformation and false narratives surrounding military operations on social media.

 

He urged citizens to exercise caution before circulating unverified reports, warning that misleading information could undermine public confidence in security agencies and potentially affect ongoing operations.

 

Agbese disclosed that, based on available records, the Armed Forces had rescued no fewer than 1,000 persons from captivity this year.

 

He said such achievements should be recognised alongside the challenges confronting the military, adding that the public had an important role to play in supporting security agencies with credible information and cooperation.

 

The lawmaker further advocated stronger international collaboration in intelligence gathering and counter-terrorism operations, particularly in dealing with insurgency, banditry and kidnapping.

 

He said improved intelligence sharing and cooperation among countries would enhance Nigeria’s capacity to identify and disrupt criminal networks operating across borders.

 

Turning to international justice, Agbese called for a critical review of Nigeria’s membership of the International Criminal Court.

 

He argued that the country should reassess whether its continued participation in the ICC remains consistent with its national security interests, particularly given the nature and scale of the threats confronting Nigeria.

 

According to him, terrorist organisations accused of atrocities against civilians often operate outside the framework of international humanitarian law, while there have been concerns over possible international scrutiny of Nigerian troops engaged in counter-terrorism operations.

 

Agbese maintained that Nigeria has established legal and judicial institutions capable of investigating allegations of human rights violations and holding individuals accountable where necessary.

 

“Nigeria has a functional legal and judicial system capable of addressing cases involving human rights violations. Considering the scale of security threats confronting the country, government should critically review whether continued membership of the International Criminal Court remains in our national interest,” he said.

 

The lawmaker drew comparisons with countries such as the United States, Russia and China, arguing that Nigeria must ensure that its military has sufficient room to respond effectively to threats to national security.

 

He stressed that international commitments should be periodically reviewed to ensure that they do not undermine the country’s ability to protect its citizens and territorial integrity.

 

Agbese’s position comes amid continuing public debate over the performance of Nigeria’s security architecture and the appropriate response to persistent attacks by terrorists, bandits and other criminal groups.

 

While some Nigerians have called for changes in military leadership whenever security incidents occur, Agbese argued that continuity and institutional stability were essential to sustaining counter-terrorism operations.

 

He said newly appointed commanders require time to understand operational theatres, establish command structures and implement their strategies, making abrupt changes potentially disruptive during critical periods.

 

The lawmaker reaffirmed his confidence in the Armed Forces and urged Nigerians to support security agencies in their efforts to restore peace and protect communities across the country.

 

He maintained that tackling insecurity required not only military action but also public cooperation, accurate information, effective intelligence sharing and sustained political commitment.