Emmanuel Udom
A former Director of Military Intelligence, Maj.-Gen. Adewole Ajibade (Rtd), has identified lack of adequate awareness amongst the populace to the growing number insurgent groups in Nigeria.
Ajibade stated this on Monday in Lagos, while declaring open a two-day conference of the Association of Industrial Security and Safety Operator of Nigeria (AISSON), adding that security challenge was now an affair for all.
He noted that the solution to insecurity or insurgency does not lie on military force, stressing that military force was a strategy adopted by the government, but was not a means to the end of the urgency.
“Military force is not end to a means, but a means to an end. So amnesty is not a means itself. So the solution to Boko Haram is not the amnesty, military force, but the totality of security operation. That includes awareness by all, intelligence gathering and members of the public involvement etc.
“Security itself is a means to an end. Security must provide the base for development to take place. Without security there would be no development and without development, there would be no security,’’ he said.
On the security at worship centre, the retired General urged the leaders to be proactive by providing private security personnel, CCTV and above all creates awareness on the security challenges before the congregations.
Ajibade also advised security and information managers to be careful of the information they disseminate to the public, noting that such information may serve as lead to hoodlums and insurgent group to carry out criminal acts.
He counsel the military not to win the war against insurgent groups and loose the peace, stressing therefore, that human rights should be observe in carrying out the military operation.
“The rule of engagement should be follow strictly. That does not mean we should not do what is expected,’’ Ajibade added.
The President of Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioner, Maj.-Gen. Usman Yakubu said in his good will message that private security companies need to assist government in security government property such as NNPC Pipelines.
The Chairman of AISSON, Lagos State Chapter, Mr Deji Bamgbose identified under development as major factor responsible to armed robbery, insurgency, kidnapping among others.
One of the guest speakers, Prof. Bola Akinferinwa, DG, NIIA, who was represented by Prof. Charles Dokunbo said that no government can stop terrorism, noting that the only way out was for government to plan ahead of the criminals.
“Security agencies plan for all days against the terrorists, but the terrorists plan for only one day. When the terrorists will strike, people will shout; where is the government and security agency.
“The government and security agencies must not allow the terrorists or hoodlums to have their day. Everybody must be involve if insecurity would be address,’’ Akinfrinwa noted.
Nigerian Compass reports that the theme for the conference was Security: A Prerequisite for National Development, had more than 50 persons from private security sector as participants.