Regaining public trust is critical for the Nigerian Armed Forces (NAF) to effectively address security challenges and solidify its role in a democratic society.

The NAF's history of military rule, allegations of human rights abuses, and concerns about corruption have significantly eroded public confidence.

Here's how the Nigerian Armed Forces can regain the trust of the public:

I. Prioritizing Human Rights and Accountability:

1. Zero Tolerance for Abuses: This is paramount. The NAF must adopt and rigorously enforce a zero-tolerance policy for human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, torture, arbitrary detentions, and excessive use of force.

2. Prompt and Transparent Investigations: Establish and empower truly independent and transparent mechanisms to investigate all credible allegations of abuses against civilians. The findings of these investigations must be made public.

3. Punishment for Perpetrators: Critically, personnel found culpable of abuses, regardless of rank, must be swiftly and impartially prosecuted and punished according to the law. This ends the culture of impunity.

4. Human Rights Training: Integrate comprehensive human rights and international humanitarian law training into all levels of military education and ongoing operations. This must go beyond theoretical knowledge to practical application and ethical decision-making in the field.

5. Compensation and Redress: Provide timely and adequate compensation or other forms of redress to victims of military excesses, demonstrating a commitment to justice.

II. Enhancing Transparency and Communication:

1. Open Communication Channels: Establish and maintain clear, accessible, and responsive communication channels between the military and the public. This includes dedicated public relations offices, social media engagement, and regular press briefings.

2. Proactive Information Sharing: Proactively share accurate and timely information about military operations, successes, challenges, and efforts to address public concerns. This helps counter misinformation and builds confidence.

3. Community Engagement and Dialogue:

   • Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) Activities: Significantly scale up non-kinetic approaches, such as medical outreach programs, school renovations, borehole provision, and community development projects in conflict-affected areas and beyond. These activities demonstrate the military's commitment to improving civilian lives.

   • Regular Town Hall Meetings: Conduct regular, sincere, and inclusive town hall meetings and dialogues with community leaders, religious figures, civil society organizations, and local populations to listen to their concerns, clarify misunderstandings, and gather intelligence. The recent maiden Annual Civil-Military Relations Conference by the Defence Headquarters is a positive step in this direction, and it needs to be institutionalized and cascaded to all levels.

   • Joint Security Planning: Where appropriate, involve local community representatives in security planning meetings to foster a sense of shared responsibility and ownership.

III. Professionalism and Operational Effectiveness:

1. Tackling Corruption within the Military:

   • Transparent Procurement: Implement fully transparent and accountable procurement processes for equipment, supplies, and welfare. This ensures resources reach the frontline troops and reduces opportunities for siphoning off funds.

   • Accountability for Funds: Conduct regular, independent audits of defense budgets and hold senior officers accountable for any misuse of funds.

   • Whistleblower Protection: Protect military personnel who report corruption or wrongdoing within the ranks.

2. Adequate Equipping and Welfare: Ensure that troops are adequately equipped with modern weaponry, protective gear, and logistical support. Improve their welfare, including salaries, allowances, accommodation, and healthcare, to boost morale and combat effectiveness.

3. Specialized Training for Internal Security: Provide specialized training for internal security operations, emphasizing intelligence-led operations, crowd control, de-escalation techniques, and human rights compliance, distinct from conventional warfare training.

4. Professional Conduct during Operations: Emphasize the need for disciplined and professional conduct during all operations, avoiding intimidation or harassment of civilians.

IV. Redefining Roles and Civilian Oversight:

1. Clear Delimitation of Roles: Re-emphasize and adhere strictly to the constitutional role of the military as primarily responsible for external defense, with internal security primarily handled by the police. The military's involvement in internal security should only be in support capacity and for limited durations.

2. Strengthen Civilian Oversight:

   • Legislative Oversight: Ensure robust and independent legislative oversight by the National Assembly over the military's budget, operations, and conduct.

   • Ministry of Defense Capacity: Strengthen the Ministry of Defense's capacity for effective civilian control and policy direction over the armed forces.

   • Independent Civilian Review Boards: Consider establishing independent civilian review boards to oversee complaints against the military.

3. Re-professionalization: Continue efforts to re-professionalize the military, instilling a strong apolitical ethos and a deep respect for democratic institutions and civilian authority.

Regaining public trust is not a quick fix but a continuous process that requires sustained commitment from the military leadership, political will from the government, and consistent, verifiable actions that demonstrate a fundamental shift towards a people-centric, rights-respecting, and professionally accountable force.