Stakeholders Brainstorm to Resolve Security Challenges in Nigeria

Stakeholders including the private and public security personnel, religious leaders, social activist and communication experts have gathered at the police college, Ikeja, Lagos to chart the forward on the issue of insecurity in Nigeria.

The personalities present included the Lagos state commissioner of Police, the Deputy governor of the state, Dr Femi Hamzat, the Missioner Ansarudeen Society of Nigeria, President of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, Nigerian Civil Defence Corp, Private Security icons, Dr Kabir Adamu and distinguished personalities from the academia.

The security summit was organised by the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, Lagos State with the theme: ‘Rethinking Nigeria’s Security.’

The Lead discussant at the event, the Managing Director, Beacon Consulting, Dr Kabir Adamu while speaking on the topic, recommended a thorough reorganisation of the security and defence structure in Nigeria.

He said there was need to improve the management of existing manpower, establishing and maintaining a database of retired, dismissed personnel and increase the manpower of security personnel.

Dr Adamu mentioned that the security architecture in Nigeria should be a combination of national security policies, strategies and plans for securing lives and property in the country.

“Today, there are all kinds of national securities. They include economic security; energy security; environmental security; and even health, women’s, and food security.”

Dr Adamu identified electioneering periods in Nigeria to be associated with violence and anticipating election related security risks and planning for its mitigation could safeguard lives and property.

“Religious intolerance and the abuse of religion to suit the interest of a group of people who consider themselves custodians of religious values and faith have been a major cause of the crisis especially in the north,” he said.

He encouraged the government to collaborate with relevant stakeholders in a transparent and just manner to address burgeoning socio-economic challenges.

He advised the government to find a lasting solution to unemployment, poverty, solve the socio-political grievances in the country and bridge divides to enhance social cohesion.

Superintendent of Police, Raji Jamiu Representing Lagos state commissioner of police said the reason why insecurity persists in Nigeria was due to the fact that offenders were not being punished with outright killings.

”When you steal and know you won’t live to enjoy the money, you will desist from the act.”

He said the country was reproducing criminals and spending its resources to prosecute them, urging Nigerian leaders to begin putting the best of its people including their children in the security force.

He likened the function of police officers to the duty of the prophets of God citing the example of prophet Musa (Moses) whose first assignment was to arrest Fir’aun (Pharo) due to his transgression.

He urged people to desist from covering up crime.

Prepared to solve the problem

While speaking at the event, the Group Head, Current & Public Affairs of News (TVC News) at TVC Communications, Babajide Otitoju said the government doesn’t seem prepared to solve the problem of insecurity in Nigeria because there have been several recommendations which they aren’t paying attention to.

He said education should be made accessible to the poor so as to lift them out of poverty which would enhance security in the country.

Game Changing Leader  

He said Nigeria needed a game changing leader that could lead the country to the right direction as he explained that Nigeria has the best manpower across the world which requires the right leader to galvanise the resources.

He suggested that the government should moderately regulate misinformation, especially when it has to do with issues of National security as he encouraged Nigerians to find game changing leaders in 2023 in the coming general election.

The President of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, Miftahudeen Thaani said Nigerians said as a youth organisation there was need to take the issue of security with utmost seriousness by constantly advocating peace, harmony as paramount tool to the survival of Nigeria.

He urged all stakeholders to advocate religious tolerance, being your brother’s keeper, unity as the youths constitute about 70 percent of Nigeria’s population to promote peace, security and unity of Nigeria.

The Lagos state Deputy Governor, Dr Femi Hamzat said security should be everyone’s business as he rolled out some of the interventions the Lagos state government has put in place to improve security in the state.

He mentioned government surveillance through the installation of CCTV cameras on major roads, provision of patrol vehicles and provision of communication gadgets to the security operatives among others effects put in place in the state.

Represented by Dr. Hakim Shittu, the commissioner discouraged people from making strange friends online and putting up information about themselves and their families on social media which he said could endanger the family.

The National Missioner of Ansarudeen Society of Nigeria, Alhaji AbdurRahman Ahmad urged security personnel to be sincerer so as to gain the confidence of the people as he pointed thatkidnapping cannot thrive without the support of the personnel in Nigeria.

Family Value system

He said the family value system has been debased. “We used to be a nation that is proud of its values system such as honesty, integrity, truthfulness and the likes. But today, sharp money, is what is being promoted.”

The President of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria encouraged the government to look into the breeding grounds for criminals which include idle youths who roam the streets waiting for free money.

“There are an army of jobless Nigerians with no unemployment benefit and employment plan.”

He urged government to engage with the community and not to license crime.

However, the PRO of Nigerian Civil Defence Corps, deputy superintendent of corps Abolurin Olumide discouraged Nigerian youths from leaving Nigeria, as he urged them to be more patriotic and loyal.

He added that he had the opportunity of leaving the country when he was younger, but stayed back due to his love for Nigeria which he encouraged all youths to imbibe.