Former National Security Adviser, General Aliyu Gusau (rtd) has postulated that with an estimated population of 223.8 million and a diverse terrain covering 923,768 square kilometres, Nigeria is a difficult country to secure.
He made this known during the launch of the Askarawa security outfit created by the Zamfara state government to complement the work of the security agencies on Wednesday.
The retired general noted that” therefore, expecting a single police force to patrol and control such a large and complex nation effectively is a very tall order indeed.
According to the former Minister of Defence, the time has come for us to rethink this strategy in the best way possible and in the interest of our country.
“Currently, innocent lives are lost daily as terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, organised crime, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and cultism and all these vices have become the order of the day in theatres across Nigeria.
“While perpetrators now act with impunity, additional deployment of the military to hotspots has not achieved the desired results.
“Therefore, this initiative by the Zamfara State Government, which complements activities of the regular police force, within the ambit of the law is the right way to go.
However, for it to succeed, strategic consideration should be given to creating appropriate support structures across the board.
“We must understand that security is a community effort and the responsibility of all. Not only the police or armed forces.
“Naturally, there is a need for greater inter-agency collaboration, but also for cooperation between government and the private sector.
“From the common man on the street to traditional leaders and state institutions, we all need to join hands to tackle insecurity.
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, please permit me to quote the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Dr. Solomon Arase, who is also a former Inspector General of Police, on the pivotal role of public-private partnerships to enhance security.
“These were his words at a 2023 leadership retreat: “Such partnership can lead to improved security outcomes by leveraging the private sector’s resources and expertise to complement the government’s efforts. Additionally, these collaborations can foster economic growth, as security plays a critical role in investor confidence.”
To this end, he said, “Dr. Arase’s remarks underscore the need for Initiatives to support federal efforts on security.
“Structured and formalised collaboration between the unitary police system (as currently prescribed by the constitution) and state and other private security outfits will contribute to a solution.
“That explains why for more than a decade, I have utilised the Gusau Institute, a non-profit think tank and research entity I founded, to facilitate national discourse on issues concerning human security and good governance.
“It is particularly noteworthy that on two occasions, we brought together various stakeholders to discuss the importance of effective policing in Nigeria as a way of addressing these pressing challenges.“
