A security expert, Lt.-Gen. Lamidi Adeosun, says poor and weak economy, inadequate provision of socio-economic needs for citizens, and unfavourable media reports are compounding Nigeria’s complex security challenges.
Adeosun was a guest lecturer at the Nigerian Army Day Celebration 2024, which held on Thursday.
He spoke on the theme ”Transforming the Nigerian Army: Imperative of Combating Contemporary Security Challenges” also listed the inadequate capacity of the Nigerian Police Force as another challenge.
According to him, overreliance on the military, as well as insufficient funding by the Nigerian Army, among other factors, are also making the fight against the country’s complex security challenges difficult.
Adeosun however, said that improved provision for citizens needs would help in containing the situation.
He lauded the recent steps taken by the Federal Government to improve the well-being of Nigerians, particularly at the local government level.
“Recent efforts of the Federal Government at making local government administrations in the country independent of the states, would enable deserved resources to get to the grassroots, which would engender meaningful development.
“FG could consider the establishment of development commissions for all regions of the country, to address the peculiar needs of the citizens, as it was done for the Niger Delta and North East Regions.
“Perceived lack of equity and justice among citizens would reduce, as their needs could be met through the development commissions.
“Comprehensive security sector reform would eradicate the current inefficiency associated with the police force and other security agencies in discharging their primary responsibility of effectively combatting crimes.
“The reforms will strengthen and professionalise security institutions for effectiveness and accountability.
“Additional funding from the Police Trust Fund could be channeled to training, equipping, welfare, and increased recruitment for the police,” he added.
Adeosun further advocated strengthening media regulation to address the challenge of unregulated reportage of Nigerian Army’s operational activities.
He added that the army could also strengthen its partnership with relevant media organisations and civil society, such as the Nigerian Union of Journalists.
”It should embark on extensive information regulation and media censorship on news items regarding operational activities,” the security expert said. (NAN)
