President Bola Tinubu has called for synergy and cooperation among security agencies to end what is left of terror attacks, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminality in Nigeria.
President Tinubu gave the charge on Monday in Abeokuta when he officially declared open the fifth annual Strategic Security Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers held in the Ogun State capital.
To this effect, he restated his administration’s resolve to improve the institutional capacity of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and position the force to actualise its inherent mandate as the frontline agency in internal security.
The President who was represented at the event by Vice President Kashim Shettima, implored the conferees to hinge a significant portion of their discussions on strategies for multi-agency collaboration.
“During my visit to the Office of the National Security Adviser and the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Abuja, I stressed the importance of inter-agency cooperation in tackling security challenges.
“Synergy among all security agencies is vital to eliminating banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, and other forms of criminality. Please dedicate a significant portion of your deliberations to advancing strategies for multi-agency collaboration,” he stated.
The timing of the retreat, according to the Nigerian leader, is crucial in advancing his administration’s goals, just as the theme of the conference, “Improving Nigeria’s Internal Security and Economic Prosperity Through Inclusive Policing,” aligns seamlessly with the core objectives of the administration.
He however observed that while one of the administration’s objectives is to take advantage of the nation’s human and natural resources to foster economic growth, the vision cannot be attained until the county’s internal security becomes stable.
“We are committed to fostering economic growth by leveraging the vast potential of our human and natural resources. However, this vision is unattainable without a stable internal security landscape and strong stakeholder collaboration,” the President noted.
Bold Reforms
President Tinubu pointed out that since it came on board in 2023, his administration had “embarked on bold and decisive reforms to address the deep-rooted challenges stemming from years of mismanagement and neglect.”
He listed the impact of some of the reforms in various sectors including internal security, food security, unemployment, inflation, and infrastructure, acknowledging that they may have been quite challenging at the onset.
Also Read: Nigerian President Demands Multifaceted Response To Security Threats
Noting that the reforms are vital to realigning Nigeria with the vision of its founding fathers, the President said, “We have introduced reforms to restore investor confidence, stabilise the macroeconomic environment, and reduce inflation.
“We are also taking firm measures to instil fiscal discipline, stabilise the foreign exchange market, and eliminate financial leakages by removing fuel and electricity subsidies. These efforts free up critical budgetary resources, enabling us to address long-standing infrastructure deficits.
“We are investing in roads, railways, and energy projects through public-private partnerships, which will lower transportation costs, expand market access, boost productivity, and create much-needed job.”
Mindful of the fundamentals of creating an environment where businesses and investments flourish, President Tinubu said his administration has opted for strengthening the nation’s security agencies and their operational capabilities as a priority by equipping them enough “to confront emerging threats and effectively combat crime.”
Capacity
The President reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to enhance “the institutional capacity of the Nigeria Police Force, ensuring it is more effective and well-positioned to fulfil its constitutional mandate as the lead agency in internal security.”
He outlined efforts by the government to achieve this, including recruiting and retaining a competent workforce while fostering a positive and supportive work environment, bridging existing security infrastructure and equipment gaps “through a comprehensive and sustainable programme that includes renovating police barracks, improving mobility, and upgrading essential combat and protective gear.
Shared Responsibility
Acknowledging that security is a shared responsibility, President Tinubu charged communities and the citizens to “actively collaborate with the police to foster a safer society.”
“No matter how well-funded, well-equipped, or well-trained a police force is, it can not succeed without the cooperation of the people it serves. Public engagement and trust are central to the success of inclusive policing,” he maintained.
Earlier, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State applauded President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for their visionary leadership, saying their unwavering commitment to peace and national prosperity has continued to serve as an inspiration to him and his colleagues.
He observed that security underscores the ideal society where citizens feel saved, valued and protected, stressing that security and development are intertwined.
He highlighted the contributions of Ogun State to efficient policing including securing more police vehicles, and motorcycles and collaborating with the French government to Secure high-tech drones, among others.
In his welcome remarks, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, described the annual Police conference as “a critical platform for assessing the administrative and operational strategies of the Nigeria Police Force, extensive insight and realigning policy objectives with evolving global security landscape.”
He stated that in the past two years, the conference has offered valuable insight that has served contemporary policing in Nigeria, promoting innovation, collaboration and best practices.
Also speaking, the Inspector General of Police of Kenya, Mr. Douglas Kanja Kirocho, said Kenya and Nigeria have enjoyed a cordial and mutual relationship for many years while seeking good benefits for their citizens.
He noted that, as African Union Police Chief, he had informed the AU heads of state and government during their meeting in July 2023 in Nairobi of the need for joint exercise and security training, particularly in surveillance of the respective borders in the wake of terrorism and trans-border crimes.
He called for collaboration to improve the needs and welfare of the citizens.
In the same vein, the Inspector General of Police of Rwanda, CG Felix Namuhoranye, described the theme of the conference as “very significant, timely and relevant, as we resonate with the security concerns not only in Nigeria but in Africa in general.”
He said development and peace can only take place in a secure environment, noting that inclusiveness is a moral obligation that is necessary in the police force just as it is paramount in government policy.
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