Some security experts have called on security agencies to raise the level of intelligence gathering, sharing and collaboration to address the security challenges in the country.
They also called for collaboration with communities to enhance policing and response to security breaches across the country.
The experts gave the advice over recent attacks on schools and some communities by terrorists.
Mr Gad Peter, the Executive Director of Cleen Foundation said the security agencies should block gaps in intelligence gathering to prevent attacks on schools and kidnappings.
“Security agencies must take time to understudy the situation and be able to come out with practical solutions because the attacks are not everyday crimes that use to happen in the country
“Since they are not regular occurrences, you cannot use everyday solutions to solve them,” he added.
Peter said security agencies should also be intentional and deliberate in their response, as well as deploy technology to prevent further attacks.
He said it was essential to build a strong network among security services and utilise technology to achieve results.
“One of the reasons we have the National Identification Number is to have data about people.
“If things are happening and we cannot trace who is doing what, then there is a big gap and we must close those gaps by making use of those technology.
“With the technology, we can identify voices of people and use forensic to track and investigate incidences of crimes and criminality,” he said.
On call for establishment of state police, the executive director believes it will help to address security challenges in the country.
“We need to see how state police will enhance local knowledge and local intelligence on communities because the kidnappers do not sleep on the highways, they sleep in communities.
“So, the security agencies must work with local communities to gather information and work with them in a trusted way that people will be ready to give out information,” he said.
Similarly, Dr Hassan Sadique, Chief Executive Officer of Hansen Security Strategic Consult Ltd, said security agencies must share intelligence and collaborate in other ways to tame the rising cases of abductions and attacks by criminal elements.
“For instance, from state to state, or from point A to point B, before any commercial vehicle moves, there should be exchange of information among the security operatives to be on alert along such axis.”
He also said that the security agencies should extricate saboteurs from among them.
“You cannot rule out that there are some saboteurs among personnel of security agencies who will always want to sabotage their efforts.
“So, if it is possible, let each vehicle have security personnel or local vigilante attached to them to give them cover for their safety,” he said.
Sadique expressed optimism that if adopted, the measures would help to thwart attacks on highways.
The expert also advocated for the establishment of security posts in all schools with a stand-by security team.
Sadique advised the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to collaborate with states and other security agencies in information gathering and sharing, and getting appropriate logistics for schools’ protection.
He further advised federal and state governments to ensure that schools across the country were fenced to prevent easy access by terrorists.
The expert said lawmakers should prioritise the security of their constituents by channelling some of their constituency projects into security.
“They should know that the security of their constituents is very paramount.
”They should know that the constituency projects they carry out in their various constituencies are meant for the living, therefore, they should try as much as possible to protect their people,” he said.
Mr Chris Adigwu, National President, Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria, said members of the association should be formally utilised to provide intelligence reports to security agencies.
“It is high time to leverage on private guards companies’ capabilities as there are over four million guards virtually everywhere in the 36 states of the federation.
“We know a lot is being done by security agencies but the situation at hand demands all hands to be on deck,” he said.
Adigwu said government should recognise private security guards as an essential security service provider.
“The government should support PGCs to help reduce the workload on the military and paramilitary forces.
“Most operators of PGCs are experienced security practitioners and government should utilise their experiences,” he added.
He particularly called for their inclusion in the National Safe School programme.
“Nigeria has a safe school programme under the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and our sector is not actively involved.
“That initiative is where our large number should be leveraged on,” he added.
The security guards president also advised the Federal Government to maximise the use of technology in policing the country.
Meanwhile, the Commandant General of NSCDC, Ahmed Audi, said robust strategies have been developed to enhance surveillance and protection of schools.
According to him, the strategies have worked very well until the recent abduction of the Kuriga school children.
He said during a visit to Kaduna after the abduction, that the corps was working with other security agencies to reinforce safety in all schools nationwide.
“The corps has lined up its strategy which I wouldn’t want to disclose as they are highly confidential.
“These guys are out there monitoring us, but I will like to assure Nigerians that the corps alongside other security agencies are working very closely to forestall future occurrence,’’ Audi said. (NAN)
