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Insecurity: ‘FG Should Be Two Steps Ahead Of Criminals’
A former Inspector-General of Police, Mike Okiro has advised the Federal Government to be global best practices and be “two steps ahead of the criminals”, by funding, training and equipping security agencies to achieve the desired results.
Okiro said this while fielding questions from journalists after a press conference he addressed in his capacity as chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) of newly formed Old Seminarians Association of Nigeria (OSAN) ahead of its inauguration.
According to him, insecurity has continued unabated in the country because some security personnel may have been compromised because “for every 12, there must be a Judas.”
The ex-IGP, who was joined at the press conference by the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Hon Chinedu Akubueze, said “What we are going to say won’t be different from what we have been saying. This security problem is nationwide and not limited to any particular sector or organisation. What we have to say is that the Federal Government really has to look into the security agencies and put them at par with what is happening in the outside world.
“In fact, the government should be at least two steps ahead of the criminals, if you are a security agent. What the government should do is to equip the security agencies and train them very well.
“The government should equip them, fund them. When we were small, we used to see policemen riding bicycles with baton. But that is gone, you can’t see policemen again riding bicycle with gun. You can’t even see a policeman again with Mac 4, it’s AK-47. As the technology is developing, criminality is also developing.
“Security challenges are not limited to Nigeria but worldwide issue, even in America. The current issue now is the use of technology in insecurity. The Federal Government should look at the security agencies and put them at par with their counterparts all over the world.”
As if he believed that some security personnel may have been compromised, Okiro said, “I will talk like a human being, for every 12, there must be a Judas. There must be a Judas. You can expect that also, that answers your question.”
The ex-IGP, speaking on the body to be inaugurated on Saturday, September 4, 2021, in Abuja, said, “We shall have as chairman of the occasions, one of our own, Femi Falana (SAN), who is of the class of 1975, Sacred Heart Seminary, Akure, Ondo State.”
He said Justice Centus Nweze of the Supreme Court of Nigeria from the class of 1977, St. John’s Cross Seminary, Nsukka would deliver the keynote address.
Akubueze on his part said, “The government is doing its best possible to address the security challenges in the country and it is our prayer that these challenges do not last forever. We will contribute our quota as Nigerians and ensure that these challenges end for a peaceful country that Nigeria has always been.”
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
