Group Advocates Stringent Measures To Tackle Insecurity

A Coalition of Civil Society Organizations under the Initiative of Conciliation and Right Protection ICRP, has called on security agencies with immediate effect to wade into the high prevailing rate of Insecurity and other anti social vices across the country.

The group who made the call at a forum in Abuja, said the essence was aimed at brainstorming with other stakeholders on the need to address the numerous security challenges bedeviling the nation for national development.

In an opening remark, the Secretary ICRP, Mrs Mabel Bremah said the role of Nigerian security agencies in protecting the rights of citizens is indispensable hence adopting comprehensive strategies to neutralize extremist ideas will play a crucial role in the nation’s peace and security.

She however called for effective collaboration between security agencies and civil society organizations to promote human rights and inclusivity to develop a strategy in addressing concerns to enhance trust and cooperation between citizens and law enforcement agencies.

Bremah, stressed that effective intelligence operations are key in identifying potential threats before they escalate hence security agencies must enhance their surveillance capabilities and intelligence sharing efforts focusing on volatile communities for early detection and intervention.

Another speaker for the Group and a diplomat, Mr Abdulhakeen Ayende appealed to president Bola Tinubu’s led administration to withdraw the unnecessary water tight security personnels attached to some political elites and deploy them in their numbers to volatile areas in the country to protect the life and property of the most vulnerable Nigerians.

According to him, security chiefs have a pivotal role to play by introducing a Universal Educational Security Standard by training and re – training Nigerian security agencies to effectively discharge their duties professionally especially in the north eastern part of the country with higher security challenges.

He added that Nigeria is a home to numerous ethnic and religious diversities hence security agencies must proactively protect the rights of these groups by preventing discrimination and violence through community engagement, cultural sensitivity training and commitment to equitable law enforcement practices in the interest of all citizens.

In a keynote address, a Public Affairs Analyst with the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Dr. Ibrahim Audu said there was need to give security agencies an enabling environment and level playing ground to operate within the ambit of the law.

Dr. Audu called for effective policies and reforms to re – position the nation’s security architecture devoid of corruption, depotism and abuse of power to foster unity and peaceful co – existence to build public trust and reinforce democratic principles.

He however stressed the need for rehabilitation and reintegration program for individuals who have been radicalized stressing the need for security agencies to collaborate with NGOs and community leaders to develop initiatives that provide psychological support, vocational training and reintegration assistance to victims.

Garry Ochigbo, Edited By Grace Namijiap