DSS Advocates Community-Based Security Approach

The Director General Department of State Services ( DSS), Oluwatosin Adeola, says his advocacy for community-based security is in line with global best practice.

In his address during a security conference.he had expressed displeasure with Nigeria’s persistent insecurity situation, but his statement was misconstrued by many people questioning the pragmatic essence of his message, thereby trivializing the call for action.

A statement by the DSS, however, explained that Mr Ajayi is pushing for a more inclusive, modern, and adaptive security paradigm and not a jungle justice type of security architecture.

“It is unrealistic to expect that Nigeria’s security forces which are stretched across the 36 states and over 774 local governments can single handedly protect every citizen, be it in a village or on the road at all times.The scale and flexibility of modern security threats, ranging from banditry to terrorism and cybercrime, require a broader, more grassroots approach”.

The statement further explained that the DSS boss’s comment doesn’t signal despair but a genuine strategy that builds resilience from the locals.

According to the statement, highlighting that communities should be involved in their own security is not a dereliction of duty, but it is consistent with successful models around the world.

“For instance, countries like the United States of America still have Federal Security Agencies but have community based policing as complementary. So Nigeria needs neighbourhood watches, local vigilante groups, and community-police partnerships that would work in villages, given that they have better knowledge of their terrain. ”

“Mr. Ajayi, in this regard, is not proposing arming civilians with sticks but equipping communities with the intelligence, awareness, coordination, and legal backing to play a proactive role. Even in instances where communities possess some level of ammunition guidance, profiling and authorization are key.”

He reaffirmed that
strategic leadership requires vision, delegation, and reform, and in recognition of the fact that “if you wait until a threat reaches your doorstep, you’ve already failed.”

The statement said the DSS is therefore advocating for empowering local communities, pre-emptive protection and not reactive policing.

“Nigeria’s security problems long predates the APC and even democracy itself. Therefore, attributing every challenge to the APC-era of governance oversimplifies a complex issue. Insecurity is as much a product of global arms proliferation, regional instability, climate migration, and socio-economic despair as it is about political leadership. ”

“Shutting down the DSS is not a solution at a time when citizens yearn for good governance. The worst anyone can propose is dismantling one of the few institutions positioned to respond to emerging threats.”

Mr Ajayi suggested a total reform of the security structure of the nation, investment, and more inclusive partnerships for the locals
to be part of the solution.

Mercy Didam