Heads of security agencies in selected states across Nigeria have met in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), to chart a part for effective collaboration, cooperation and coordination towards curbing insecurity in the country.

Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC), Dr. Ahmed Audi, said that for Nigeria to overcome the assymetrical conflict facing it, there must be collaboration that is well coordinated among security agencies without any form of interagency rivalry.

Speaking at a Two-day seminar on Promoting Collaboration Among Security Agencies organised by the German agency, Konrad Adenauer Stifung, (KAS), Nigeria, in partnership with the House of Representatives and the NSCDC, yesterday in Abuja, Dr. Audi said it is important to cascade in practical terms, solutions and strategies learned during the meeting.

“As we all know, the prevailing asymmetric warfare bedeviling the nation requires an octopus’ solution in mitigating the myriads of security threats targeted at Nigerians, residents and public assets.

“The reality calls for a continuous evaluation of security strategies that can pull resources and expertise together in tackling this menace,” he said.

He notes that “This seminar is aimed at ensuring that all stakeholders across-board are carried along on this mission. Your participation in this programme is an indication that we are making progress towards this quest, with outcomes that will have far reaching impact on the nation’s security architecture.

“It is my delight to observe the presence of state security heads drawn from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigerian Correctional Service, Nigerian Immigration Service, The Nigerian Police Force, Nigeria Customs Service and State Security Service representing Anambra, Borno, Enugu, Imo, and Sokoto States.

The CG adds that the triangular formation of the principles of collaboration, cooperation and coordination is what the training hopes to see practically being cascaded to the rank at file.

“Most times what we see is interagency rivalry among the rank and file but at the higher level, there is collaboration so we need to cascade the triangle of these principles,” he said.

Resident Representative, KAS, Marija Peran, pointed to the many security challenges facing Nigeria drawing attention to the need for deeper interagency collaboration.

To the security heads, she said “You are all part of an agency and are bound to the mandate of your respective agency. This is necessary in a system of rule of law. But, it is up to every person wearing a security outfit, how to fill that mandate with life and action.

“Understanding each other, is the most important thing if you want to work together effectively and it is the first step. All of you here are sitting in the same boat, a boat to make this nation a safe state.

“With deepened interagency-collaboration and coordination this tremendous and life-saving duty will be possible even better.

Peran who was represented by the Deputy Resident Representative of KAS, Lucas Laible, laments that the security situation in Nigeria is tense hence, working and cooperating together is even more necessary.

“Nigeria is facing multiple and intertwined security challenges. Last week alone, Boko Haram terrorists killed at least 11 innocent people in Borno, a communal clash occurred in Enugu state.

“All this happens at the same time, while a herders and farmers conflict threatens the middle belt, while ISWAP kills innocent Nigerian, while gangs abduct school-children, while oil-thefts harming not only the economy but also risking the lives of people with their actions.

“These security threats might not be imminent in all your respective states or affect each and every one of you personally, but the tools of interagency collaboration are still pertinent.

“Furthermore, especially in the security sector, there is much rotation so you might even be facing one of these conflicts later in your careers,” she said.

She pointed that building organizational capacity through you is never lost, it is rather a good investment in addressing the various security challenges in the whole of Nigeria.

In her presentation on the rule of law and security sector governance, Founder and Executive Director of Prisoners’Rehabilitation and Welfare Action, (PRAWA), Dr. Uju Agomoh, said the rule of law governs a nation and provide direction for action as opposed to when things are done arbitrarily.

According to her, rule of law ensures fairness, justice , peace and security as opposed to lawless which breeds injustice, anger and discontent, conflicts and insecurity.