Experts in peace and conflicts as well as human rights advocates Wednesday called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to adopt regional security.
They argued that this would be in the spirit of democratisation, especially in light of the alleged shortcomings of the present security architecture.
They made the call during an online roundtable discussion that highlighted the implications of the emergence of regional security apparatus in Nigeria, especially the southwest security network codenamed ‘Operation Amotekun’.
The roundtable was organised by the Centre for Peace and Development of Veritas University, Abuja, in collaboration with Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung.
The director of the centre, Dr Innocent Jooji, cited the rising activities of Boko Haram insurgents and bandits as well as farmers/herdsmen clashes in the country.
He said the alleged inability of the Federal Government to adequately security lives and property made it imperative for the state governors to protect and defend their people against criminality.
He said: “We, likewise, use this medium to call on government, through the necessary agencies, to create more awareness on the security policy of the country as well as create a clear outline on the working relationship of security agencies in Nigeria.
“We also call on the National Assembly and the judiciary to put in place a redress mechanism for instances of abuse which may occur by personnel of such regional security outfits.
“We reiterate the need for relational policing that would encourage members of any community to know the security personnel that operate within their communities.”
The discussants included a former Secretary-General of the Organisation of African Trade Union Unity, Owei Lakemfa and the Executive Director of the Centre for Peace Building and Socio-Economic Resources Development, Ayokunle Fagbemi.
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