Security experts, community leaders and civil society organisations have called for stronger community policing initiatives and improved intelligence gathering to address rising insecurity across parts of Nigeria.
The stakeholders made the call during a security dialogue held in Abuja on Wednesday, where discussions centred on banditry, kidnapping, insurgency and other violent crimes affecting communities in several regions of the country.
Speaking at the event, retired security analyst, Malam Ibrahim Yusuf, said that insecurity continued to pose serious threats to economic growth, education, agriculture and national stability.
Yusuf stressed the need for closer collaboration between security agencies and local communities, noting that residents often possess valuable information capable of preventing attacks.
“Security cannot be left to government agencies alone. Communities must be actively involved through information sharing and early warning mechanisms,” he said.
According to him, poor intelligence coordination, unemployment and weak border surveillance have contributed significantly to the persistence of insecurity in some parts of the country.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of the Centre for Peace and Civic Responsibility, Mrs Ngozi Eze, urged government at all levels to invest more in youth empowerment and education to reduce crime and social unrest.
Eze said that many young people were vulnerable to recruitment by criminal groups due to poverty and lack of opportunities.
She called for expanded vocational training programmes, entrepreneurship support and improved access to quality education across rural communities.
“Addressing insecurity requires both military and socio-economic solutions. Job creation and education are essential to lasting peace,” she said.
Participants at the forum also urged authorities to improve welfare packages for security personnel and provide modern equipment to enhance operational effectiveness.
They expressed concern over the growing displacement of residents in conflict-affected communities, noting that many families continued to face humanitarian challenges, including food shortages and limited healthcare access.
A representative of a community-based organisation from the North-West region, Mr Bello Sani, appealed for increased protection for farmers ahead of the rainy season.
Sani noted that insecurity in farming communities had contributed to reduced agricultural activities and rising food prices in some parts of the country.
He further called for the establishment of more community surveillance groups operating in collaboration with conventional security agencies.
The stakeholders commended ongoing efforts by the Federal Government and security forces but stressed that sustained reforms and stronger grassroots engagement remained necessary to achieve long-term peace and stability.
They also urged Nigerians to avoid spreading misinformation capable of escalating tensions and instead support lawful efforts aimed at strengthening national unity and security.
