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The August 2021 Edition of G2C Interface:

Citizen’s Impact on Security, as stakeholders proffer solutions

In a one-day detailed interaction on what G2C Interface entails and what this means for Nigeria, well-meaning Nigerians comprising government officials, security experts and others spoke on a wide range of issues about security challenges facing the country. The speakers provided insights based on G2C Interface’s aim and objectives – which is basically on bridging the gap between government and its citizenry.

Mr. Bode Olugbore, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Political Matters, expressed concerns on the security situation in the country and wondered why some of Nigeria’s best hands in the security sector shy away from discussing security matters especially on the platforms provided.

According to him, the issue of insecurity as regards what Nigerians are presently facing in the country, should not be solely thrown to the table of the President (Government). It should rather be taken as the collective responsibility of all citizens to save themselves, and their communities by partnering with the security personnel to help save their land.

Using a typical example of the ‘Broken Window Theory’ that was effectively implemented during Fashola’s tenure in Lagos state- to curb the turbulent crime rate prevalent at that time, another speaker by the name of Mr Peter Okoloh deconstructed the idea of seeing theories as mere assumptions, and posited that they should be readily used to solve national problems.

On his part, there is a great need to implement an increased Informal Social Control in the environment in order to scare away evil perpetrators because the community is an information goldmine and it is expected that there should be a high level of trust between the citizens and the police for effective community policing.

“Thus, citizens should be aware of their environment by taking charge of their environment in terms of reporting cases whenever they see one (informal Social Control Improvement), against the advocate of using alms for self-defense,” Mr Okoloh added.

In addition, for Mr. Debo Adeduntan, the big difference between the issue of security in Nigeria and that of the Republic of Ireland is that, Irish citizens, unlike Nigerians (who have given up on their security persons due to past occurrences), have faith in their security agents. As such, they do the work of the police by reporting criminal cases to the right authorities, either anonymously or through mails, and spying on people they suspect. Therefore, we need such an act of security apparatus back in Nigeria, because the security agents themselves are most times casualties of such insecurity mess- having families that look up to them as breadwinners as well.

In a similar development, Mr. Raphael Adewale, who is also a security professional, suggested that “As citizens, we need to be very proactive in the things we do. We need to think like the ‘criminals’, think like the ‘bad guys’. By doing so, we would know their tricks and have an advantage over them as well.

However, Mr. David Onigbinde stated that after ensuring the enforcement of community policing as a system, there should be adequate provision of necessary apparatus, alongside capacity building and also proper remuneration of the police to curb these security challenges.

On his part, Mr. Richard Omowa noted that whatever police we have today, is what we deserve, because they are also Nigerians. He said that what we have in Nigeria today are, in fact, occupational police, not professional police. Because this workforce is not properly remunerated as expected in order to deliver as required. As such, we can consider their different output outside the Nigerian environment.

He said, “Take Peacekeeping for instance, due to the financial promise and benefits attached, these same Nigerian Police go out there to give in their very best. Even in Nigeria, look at the Lagos State RRS (Rapid Response Squad), another effective policing strategy that is being put in place in the state; all these should be emulated into restructuring the Nigerian Police.”

In the same vein, Mr Busayo stressed that in line with recruiting, restructuring and rehabilitating community policing, the area of infrastructure is also deserving of attention, because this is another relevant factor that needs to be put in place in order to match and balance the population in the country.

As such, the judicial system as a whole needs to be efficient and effective. The aspect of unemployment in the country should also be properly managed in order to curb the increase in the number of miscreants. By doing so, we are not just focusing on the immediate solutions alone, but also digging up the issues from their causes and effectively managing them.

However, Mr. Fisayo, who decried the act of grazing in the 21st century as one of the prevalent security challenges, proposed the transportation of these grasses to the farms where these animals are supposed to be permanently kept and catered for. He backed up his point with the rule of law, saying where there is no rule, crime grows. He also reiterated the need for a constant power supply in Nigeria, especially at night, when crime is usually at its peak.

He used America as one of the safest countries in the world whose policemen do not necessarily carry guns around, but have an enabling structured environment, where Citizens are always at their best behaviours, which invariably guarantees and suits their police professionalism.

Most importantly, he proposed a system of recruitment whereby Nigerian Police and military recruitment would be based on recruiting the best brains and not outcasts. And they should also be properly catered for and given the adequate benefits they deserve after being recruited.

The Convener Mr. Bode Olugbore who gave closing remarks, craved the indulgence of all citizens of Nigerians to go back to our former method of local security system that practically involves fully knowing our environment, and the neighbours living around us. And by doing so, we would be able to protect ourselves, instead of totally depending on someone else to protect us.