Insecurity: National Assembly Moves To Strengthen Security Agencies

ABUJA

In a bid to ensure the well being of the citizenry, the National Assembly is exploring avenues aimed at strengthening the operations of security agencies in the country.

Pursuant to the goal, a two-day retreat on National Security Legislative Reform for Senate Committee Members is being held at the instance of the National Assembly, in conjunction with stakeholders in the security sector and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung,

The clerk of the National Assembly, Mr Amos Olatunde Ojo,who expressed concern over rivalry among security agencies in the country, stressed the need to put relevant legislations in place that would strengthen the security architecture in the country.

Underscoring the need for Nigerians to support the security agencies to tackle the ravaging security challenges across the country, he expressed concern over the escalation of the insecurity challenges through the social media

According to him, the retreat was organised in furtherance of activities undertaken to address issues relating to the overlapping mandates of security agencies in Nigeria.

“The study conducted by KAS in 2020 revealed that the duplication of duties and lack of proper coordination between security agencies often lead to conflicting views on fundamental security issues.

“The consequences of inter-agency rivalry have far-reaching implications on national security and exacerbate the already existing security challenges confronting the country.

“The findings of KAS shone more light on intricacies associated with some laws guiding the operations of security agencies which included overlap of functions, unclear delineation of functions, conflicting description of conditions and guidelines for collaboration between security agencies.

“Still on the negative, the social media is having a filled day, feasting on such conflicts especially the inter-agency rivalry as have been witnessed between security personnel arising from the circulation of texts, pictures and videos.

“It is our duty as citizens to support our security agencies and not to escalate situations through social media. These counter-productive challenges need our conterminous attention or may worsen.

“​In order to amend all existing incongruous legislations and make provisions that would eliminate counter-productivity and ensure inter-agency collaboration, deliberate efforts and resources are required. Hence, the aim of this retreat.

“Today and tomorrow have been geared up for open and frank discussions as well as concrete deliberations on all issues raised.You will see from the programme that technical sessions have been scheduled for robust discussions on alternate strategies that would improve on these draft bills that aim to address the aforementioned problems.

Ojo expressed optimism that the outcome of the retreat would create an enabling environment aimed at reforming the national security architecture.