A cross-section of the retired security operatives have informed the president, Bola Tinubu that there is an inadequate number of security and intelligence personnel to cover all communities including ungoverned spaces in the country.

This, they said, was responsible for unabated security challenges the nation is grappling with ranging from regional separatist movements, kidnapping, banditry, farmers/herders conflicts, terrorism, illegal arms deals, cybercrimes and human trafficking.

Their submission was contained in a communique made available to Daily Trust on Sunday at the end of their maiden annual lecture of the Alumni Association of the National Institute for Security Studies (AANISS), titled: “mobilising stakeholders to curb insecurity in nigeria: a practical approach”.

The communique, which was signed by their President, Mike Ejiofor, a retired director at the Department of State Services (DSS) explained that there is a need for a paradigm shift from a theoretical approach to insecurity to a more robust or inclusive practical approach.

“There is an inadequate number of security and intelligence personnel to cover all communities including ungoverned spaces. A common denominator in security-challenged nations is the absence of citizens’ engagement,” he said in the communique.

According to him, the need for collaboration and cooperation by the various government organisations, ministries, departments and agencies has become obvious.

Ejiofor, however, added that Local Government Councils need to justify the financial autonomy granted them by using the resources to contain security challenges at the local government level.

He also noted that Nigerians in diaspora, with their connections, exposures and remittances can be used to great advantage in the procurement of security related equipment, adding that they can also contribute in projecting Nigeria’s image positively to the world.

AANISS President added, “Government at all levels should continue to create sustainable employment opportunities for the teeming Nigerian youths to reduce the tendency of their involvement in crime.

“Whole of the government, the whole of society, the whole nation concept and people-centric security architecture should be adopted.

“There should be collaboration between Nigerian Security agencies and neighbouring Francophone countries for enhanced intelligence gathering and security operations at the country’s borders.

“Local communities should be trained, empowered and engaged as part of the first line of defence. Major stakeholders should be involved in policy formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

“Security education and awareness should be made mandatory at all levels of education in Nigeria. Associations like AANI, AANISS and AANDEC should collaborate to address some national issues..