Insecurity: CDS Irabor calls for improved partnership among security agencies

Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Iraboh has called for improved partnership among security agencies to maintain stability and enhance development in the country.

General Irabor who stated this at a lecture organised by the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs in Lagos Southwest Nigeria, said violent groups are threatening the stability of the country.

He explained that the Defence Headquarters had conducted inter-agency cooperation workshop to enhance synergy in all operations.

The Defence Chief while delivering his lecture titled “Contemporary Security Environment and National Development; Efforts of the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” identified growing rates of population, poverty, unemployment and unmanned borders amongst other contending issues provided a breeding ground for security threats.

According to him, the situation has led to the volatility in West African states to poor ranking on the critical baseline data such as; the human development index, fragile state index, global peace index and global terrorism index

“There are about 364 approved international border points in Nigeria, 261 points are in the Northeast and Northwest regions but only 124 points are manned. The unmanned points are used by non-state actors to move freely from other parts of Nigeria. Lack of whole-of- society for collective security has affected and still affecting national development sequel to the I don’t care attitudes of some Nigerians, saying that insecurity has no effect on them forgetting that directly or indirectly, it will affect them when the country is challenged with insecurity, nobody will sleep with their eyes closed.

“The military amongst other agencies have done a lot to put a check to all the activities of Boko Haram, terrorism, banditry with the introduction of “Operation Awatse, Operation Lafia Doyle, Operation Python Dance and Operation Delta safe,” he said.

He maintained that the workshop was to streamline the activities of the security agencies to address the challenges.

The Chairman of the event. Prince Julius Adelusi who was a former Minister for Health stated that the country has had a deficit in the attractions of trade, security, development and empowerment, hence the need for nexus between security and national development.

The Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae said the mandate of the institute is not only to promote the understanding of international affairs but to encourage the very strong nexus between domestic stability and Nigeria’s foreign policy Programme

He reiterated the institute’s commitment to always come up with a discourse that would assist the country in no small measures especially now that the country is facing security challenges.

PIAK