Nigeria @65: Security experts call for people-centred approach to Nigeria’s internal security

Security experts have called for a shift in Nigeria’s internal security strategy towards people-centred and technology-driven approaches to address emerging challenges.

The call was made by Mr Olalekan Agbeyo and Mr Olaniyi Daniel while assessing Nigeria’s internal security architecture over the past 65 years.

Both experts spoke with newsmen in Lagos on Thursday.

The duo emphasised the need for a move away from reactive policing towards preventive strategies that build community trust, enhance intelligence gathering, and promote inter-agency collaboration.

According to them, the country’s insecurity is deeply linked to root causes such as unemployment, poverty, and social inequality, which must be addressed in tandem with law enforcement reforms.

Agbeyo noted that over the last six and a half decades, Nigeria has faced a range of internal threats that have undermined national security and stability.

He said terrorism alone had claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions, with the North-East remaining one of the most affected regions.

“Entire communities have been devastated by violence, forcing many to seek refuge in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, where living conditions are often dire,” he said.

“In addition, banditry has surged in the north-west, with armed groups attacking villages, stealing livestock, and engaging in violent confrontations with security forces.

“This has led to widespread fear and instability, eroding the authority of traditional governance structures.

“Kidnapping for ransom has also escalated, becoming a lucrative business for criminals.

“High-profile cases and mass abductions targeting schools have instilled a sense of vulnerability within Nigerian society.

“Victims’ stories of trauma and desperation highlight the profound psychological impact of these threats.

“Moreover, oil theft in the Niger Delta has exacerbated the economic and environmental crises in the region.

“Criminal syndicates siphon off huge quantities of crude oil, leading to financial losses for the government and environmental degradation that affects local communities” he said.

Agbeyo said that the Nigerian Police Force(NPF) Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and various military units had taken on the heavy burden of addressing these internal threats.

He, however, said their effectiveness had often been hampered by issues of corruption, inadequate training, lack of resources, and poor community relations.

He said many citizens perceived the police as an arm of oppression rather than protection, noting that incidents of police brutality had eroded public trust, making community cooperation essential for successful policing.

“The protests against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in 2020 underscored the urgent need for reform within the police.

“The NSCDC, while tasked with protecting critical infrastructure and managing public safety, often lacks the visibility and resources to effectively address issues such as oil theft and community conflicts.

“Community policing initiatives have emerged as a promising avenue for fostering better relationships between citizens and law enforcement.

“Programmes aimed at recruiting local youth into the police force have proven effective in regions where community trust in law enforcement has been historically low” he said.

Agbeyo, however, advised that building a people-centered security framework in Nigeria required a multi-faceted approach.

Corrobirating Agbeyo’s submission, Daniel, the Chief Executive Officer of Premier Guard Security Ltd, advocated a shift in Nigeria’s internal security strategy towards people-centred, technology driven approaches to tackle emerging challenges.

Daniel said that the country must move away from reactive policing and adopt preventive measures that strengthened community trust, intelligence gathering, and inter-agency collaboration.

According to him, insecurity in the country is connected to root causes such as unemployment, poverty, and social inequality, which must be addressed alongside law enforcement reforms.

He said that policing could not rely solely on enforcement but must include intelligence, proactive crime prevention, and community partnership to build lasting peace and stability.

The expert emphasised the importance of collaboration among security agencies, the private sector, and local communities in safeguarding critical infrastructure and countering emerging threats such as cybercrime, kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism.

“The future of Nigeria’s security lies in innovation and collaboration.

“By reshaping our internal security structure, we can restore public confidence, protect our democracy, and ensure sustainable development, ” Daniel said.

Additionally, Agbeyo noted that it was crucial to engage communities in dialogue concerning their security needs.

The security expert said that this would involve establishing community forums where citizens can voice their concerns and contribute to problem-solving efforts.

He said training programmes for security personnel on human rights and community engagement were essential, and that police and security agencies should be seen as partners rather than adversaries.

Agbeyo said emphasising intelligence gathering at the community level could empower citizens to play a proactive role in their own security.

He also advised that investment in youth empowerment programmes could further reduce vulnerability to criminal influences.

He concluded that leveraging technology, such as data analysis, surveillance systems, and social media for intelligence sharing, could enhance the response to security challenges.

The expert said prioritising a people-oriented approach that emphasised collaboration, accountability, and respect for human rights, Nigeria could work towards a more secure future for all its citizens.

NPF authorities seem to have in the last few years started leveraging technology in its fight against crime prevention.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, in a statement to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary, highlighted the successes of the force in enhancing internal security.

Hundeyin said the force had shifted from reactive to preventive, people-centred policing, boosting public confidence nationwide.

Within just two months, he noted, police operations led to the apprehension of 4,383 suspects for crimes including robbery, kidnapping, homicide, and cultism, while 1,138 kidnapped victims were rescued.

“Officers also seized 716 firearms, over 21,000 rounds of ammunition, and 212 stolen vehicles.”

To meet modern threats, Hundeyin said that the NPF had introduced targeted units that combined speed with precision.

“The Special Intervention Squad was launched to rapidly counter high-risk crimes, while the Safe School Protection Squad now secures learning environments in several states, aligning with Nigeria’s National Policy on School Safety and supported by UNICEF, ” he said.

According to him, technology has become central to policing, with tools such as the Rescue Me app, the Quick Emergency Reporting & Response System, and Police Specialised Services Automation Project improving citizen access to services while reducing crime risks.

He said that the electronic Central Motor Registry recorded the recovery of 1,519 stolen vehicles in 2024, while the NPF National Cybercrime Centre recovered ₦8.82 billion, $84,000, and 115,000 USDT for fraud victims.

Hundeyin added that government approval for the recruitment of 30,000 constables over five years had been hailed as historic, aimed at achieving the international policing ratio of one officer per 400 citizens.

According to him, the Police Mobile Force has expanded to 80 squadrons, bolstering tactical capacity against insurgency, banditry, and violent unrest.

The FPRO said that the Force Intelligence Department (FID) had been upgraded to a DIG-led Directorate, with its state and zonal offices restructured to ensure stronger coordination and accountability.

“It is strategically positioned to deliver timely, reliable, and actionable intelligence in support of policing operations nationwide, ” he said.

He said that Inspector-General Kayode Egbetokun’s welfare reforms had improved police housing, upgraded healthcare with digitised records, and delivered modern facilities.

“It has also boosted morale through the prompt payment of N26 billion in insurance claims to families of fallen heroes.

“Securing the welfare of officers is key to securing the force’s mission, as officers who are well cared for can better protect Nigerians,” he said.