Expert advocates research on crime identification as panacea to insecurity in Nigeria

A security expert, Dr Oludotun Adetunberu has emphasized on the need for adoptable research to identify crimes hotspots in a multi-bordered state like Kogi to curb incessant kidnappings and abductions in Nigeria. He noted in his presentation that Kogi State shared border with ten States and fifty five towns across the ten States

Dr Adetunberu, who is the Director-General for Homeland Intelligence and Security in Ekiti State, gave the option at a public lecture titled: “Interrogating the Place of Information Gathering and Intelligence Sharing in the Security Architecture Management of a Multi-Bordered Confluence State”, organised by the Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti EKSU Alumni Association, Kogi State chapter in Okenne.

The Security expert who emphasized on effective combing of all forest reserves by Security agencies also mentioned inter-states, local government and towns boundaries committees on security and intelligence to enhance the operations.

“To achieve a better solution, stakeholders on Security must ensure synergy and effective information management systems”.

In an array of recommendations, Dr Adetunberu called on Kogi State Government with the support of the National Security Adviser to adopt Ekiti State Model of Secunty Architecture Management by restructunng the security structures of the State for effective delivery since the major and constitutional responsibility of govemment as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is to protect lives and properties.

According to him, the combing exercise must integrate all the security agencies established by Kogi State Govemment, identified and trusted Hunters’ Association, Vigilantes Groups, Forest Guards and all the conventional secunty apparatus in Kogi State including the Nigeria Police Force. Military, Depanment of State Services and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC. Also ensure effective coordination of monthly statutory meeting of security and intelligence committee at the Local Government Areas in Kogi State

He stressed that Date and time of operations must not be disclosed until the last minute because the terrorist already has spies among all the security agencies.

Dr Adetunberu also noted that there must be regular meetings of all the major stakeholders such as Directors of farm settlements and Director of afforestations with local agencies separately to review on monthly basis all the areas required for serious combing and where needed it could be weekly or on emergency.

The Security Expert included that Emir and Obas must be the security heads of their communities and report to the monthly Statutory Meetings of the Local Government .

He added that Kogi State Government with the support of the National Security Adviser to the President should identify the International Drug Cartels parading themselves as Investors in agriculture who have taken over the Farm Settlement Centers in the State with a deceitful intentions and proposal for research and using such farmland to cultivate India hemps and growing harmful and dangerous herbs.

Commenting on the issues addressed in the lecture, Kogi State Governor, Mr Usman Ododo said the state is working with other border states and Security Architecture of the state is being improved to curb the ugly trend of kidnappings and abductions.

Governor Ododo represented by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Ismaila Issah said the state government had procured and distributed 250 hilux vans and 100 motorcycles to support Security agencies, local vigilante and hunters to boost their activities.