By Isaac Olufemi Ojo
A former serviceman of the United States Army, Mr Abiodun Ladepo, has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to double the number of security personnel in the country, train them in guerrilla and asymmetric warfare tactics, and strengthen the nation’s intelligence apparatus to curb the rising wave of insecurity across the land.
Mr.Ladepo made the call while speaking at the 19th anniversary of Splash FM and the 87th birthday anniversary of the radio station’s founding chairman, Oba Adebayo Akande, MFR, held at the weekend.
Mr. Ladepo, who chaired the occasion while Speaking on the theme, “Rising Insecurity in the Land: Trends, Drivers, Regional Dynamics in the Southwest, and Expectations from Stakeholders,” the retired army officer, who focused on what government and citizens must do to end the crisis, noted that although insecurity was not a new phenomenon in Nigeria, its character had become peculiar when compared with what obtained in other African countries.
He said the government must, as a matter of urgency, see reasons to increase the number of security personnel, as the present data personnel available seem not enough to tackle the spiking indices of insecurity in Nigeria.
He further added that such personnel should be properly trained in guerrilla tactics and asymmetric warfare, adequately equipped, while the country’s intelligence apparatus was strengthened.
“We need to do something peculiar to our own environment,” Ladepo said,
Moreover, he canvassed for the establishment of local intelligence squads in communities to feed security agencies with vital, real-time information.
He further called for the incorporation of traditional rulers and community leaders into the security architecture, stressing that they must be held accountable for whatever happens within their domains.
According to him, there must be synergy between the Federal Government, state governments and local communities if the fight against insecurity, particularly in the South-West region, is to be won.
On the issue of punishment for offenders, Ladepo maintained that prosecution of persons arrested for crimes bordering on insecurity should be carried out immediately and not delayed, noting that delayed justice weakened the deterrent effect of the law.
He urged both government and citizens to see the fight against insecurity as a shared responsibility, stressing that government alone could not win the war without the active cooperation of communities.
The guest lecturer,Former Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Chief Tunji Alapini, in his lecture of the topic called for a fundamental shift in Nigeria’s security architecture, urging authorities to embrace intelligence-led policing, strengthen inter-agency collaboration and deepen community participation to effectively tackle the country’s growing insecurity.
While he described security as the bedrock of national development, he warned warning that no society can thrive where lives and property are constantly under threat.
He attributed the worsening insecurity to youth unemployment, economic hardship, poor intelligence coordination, corruption, delays in the justice system, proliferation of illegal arms and porous borders.
The former AIG however recommended the establishment of structured community intelligence networks, wider deployment of surveillance technology, hotspot policing, improved emergency response systems and stronger collaboration among security agencies.
He also advocated enhanced security along highways and forest corridors, speedy prosecution of violent crimes and sustained investment in youth empowerment.
in the same vien, He also charged civil society organisations, the private sector and citizens to support security efforts through civic education, surveillance initiatives, job creation and timely reporting of suspicious activities.
The event, which drew dignitaries, stakeholders and well-wishers, doubled as a celebration of 19 years of broadcasting excellence by Splash FM and the 87th birthday of its founding chairman, Oba Adebayo Akande, MFR, who was celebrated for his contributions to broadcasting and community development in the South-West.
