A gathering of over 30 security experts comprising of academics, professionals from the private and public sectors, para-military organizations, and representatives from the ECOWAS Court of Justice, have recently come together at the Institute of Security and Strategic Studies (ISSS) 6th annual security executive conference in Calabar. Here, they made a unified plea to the Federal Government of Nigeria to release Nnamdi Kanu, alongside other political prisoners. The experts believe that such a move would be instrumental in fostering national peace and unity.
In a Communique signed by Professor Azeez Olaniyan, the Board Secretary of the Institute, Richard Kalu from the Department of State Security Services (DSS), and two others, the security experts expressed their concerns on the current state of Nigeria’s security challenges and emphasized the need for a solution that would promote socio-economic development. Issues such as separatist agitations, feelings of marginalization, and a defective 1999 constitution were identified as key contributing factors to the current security challenges.
The Communique also outlined a series of recommendations to address these issues. It called for the provision of basic amenities to tackle high insecurity, nepotism, and ineffective leadership. The experts also recommended the implementation of high-level vigilance and community policing to combat the rising threat of kidnapping. Furthermore, they stressed the importance of strengthening joint task forces, inter-agency security meetings, and training and capacity building for security personnel. Developing a seamless communication network among security agencies and enhancing national security strategies were also emphasized.
During the conference, former Assistant Commissioner of Police, Paddy Ogon, highlighted the significance of the federal government taking heed of the experts’ plea. He emphasized that by releasing Nnamdi Kanu and other political prisoners, Nigeria would be able to regain its stability and return to a position of strength.
The conference provided a platform for security stakeholders to identify and discuss the various security challenges faced by the nation. The aim was to generate effective strategies to address these issues and pave the way for a more secure and prosperous Nigeria.
