PeakNews Online
By Adebola Adegoke/Mariam Akande
Ikorodu (Lagos State), July 6, 2024 (NAN) The Nigerian Army, Navy and Police have stressed the need for trust among security agencies for enhanced security in communities.
They spoke during an ongoing three-day retreat of the Lagos State Neigbourhood Safety Agency (LNSA) in Ikorodu, Lagos State.
The retreat had the theme: “A Joint Approach Towards Enhanced Security in the Society.”
Brig.-Gen. Adegoke Adetuyi, Commander, 9 Brigade of the Nigeria Army, Ikeja, said various stakeholders play significant roles in enhancing security in the society.
The stakeholders, he said, include the government, community groups, individuals, as well as non-governmental organisations.
According to him, government agencies provide the legal framework for a comprehensive security strategy, while security itself requires the efforts of every citizen.
He added that while private organisations contribute through innovation, cyber security measures, and resource sharing, community groups offer grassroots engagement, local intelligence, and emergency preparedness.
“On the other hand, individual citizens play a critical role through vigilance, responsible behaviour, and participation in community initiatives.
“While Non-governmental organisations add value through advocacy, humanitarian assistance, and capacity building.
“By working together, these stakeholders can create a resilient and secure society capable of addressing the multifaceted security challenges of a cosmopolitan society like Lagos,” he said.
Left to Right: Brig.-Gen. Adegoke Adetuyi, Commander, 9 Brigade of the Nigeria Army, Ikeja; Dr Ifalade Oyekan, General Manager, LNSA; Commodore Rafiu Oladejo, Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT, Apapa, at a retreat in Ikorodu, Lagos.
The commandant called for a cohesive and resilient security framework by implementing strategies such as secure information sharing, public-private partnerships, community engagement and integrated training.
Other strategies, he said, include supportive policies, technological innovation, comprehensive crisis management, and public awareness campaigns.
He listed some challenges to effective joint security approach to include lack of inter-agency coordination, communication barriers, limited resources, confidentiality and trust issues.
Commodore Rafiu Oladejo, Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT, Apapa, said that inter-agency rivalry was one of the major challenges hindering effective collaboration.
Oladejo said that the security landscape globally and in Nigeria had changed in recent years and synergy among agencies hinged on trust was crucial to eliminating threats.
He, therefore, urged all security stakeholders to approach their duties with sincerity of purpose, trust and sense of responsibility without compromise.
On his part, ACP Musendiq Orobiyi, Commander, Area ‘N’ Police Command Ijede, urged security agencies to collaborate with the public and see them as stakeholders to ensure peace and stability in the society.
Dr Ifalade Oyekan, General Manager, LNSA, said the retreat was aimed at strengthening collaboration with other agencies for effective security in the state.
“We have had interactive sessions with the Nigeria Police, Army and Navy and it is crucial that we have the same interests and working together to achieve a common goal,” he said.
Oyekan said that the agency decided to hold the retreat in Ikorodu because it is often regarded as a hotspot for security issues in the state.
“We thought it was fitting to gather at the location to discuss ways to improve collaboration to ensure enhanced security in the state,” he said.
He added that the agency had implemented initiatives aimed at repositioning the agency for better service delivery to the people.
He said that the agency, with the support of the state government had deployed some modern tools, body-worn cameras, safety shields, surveillance drones, dashboard cameras, stun batons, and binoculars among others.
This, he said, had also laid the groundwork and prepared the agency for state police.
He urged Lagos residents to support the agency by reporting anything unusual, saying “see something, say something, because security is everyone’s business.”(NAN)
