Abuja: The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has recommended a citizen-centric security arrangement to address insecurity in the country.
The institute’s director-general, Dr Joseph Ochogwu, made the call during a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to him, the call is coming in the wake of the recent killings, especially in Benue, where men, women, and children were wasted in large numbers by rogue armed men.
He said a citizen-centric arrangement, the security arrangement, would involve Nigerians being on the frontline of the entire national security system.
“They can provide relevant information due to their local knowledge and understanding of their environments and neighbouring communities.
“Citizens need to work together to promote peace and provide relevant intelligence to relevant agencies.
“There must be a community-to-community, citizen-centric relationship. People should begin to rely on their local intelligence and security systems for protection and use these to support state government systems.
“Security forces cannot cover the vast land areas in Nigeria; therefore, citizens must be actively involved in security management.
“The emphasis should now be on citizen-focused security arrangements that integrate functionally with national security systems,” he said.
Ochogwu also called for a system that would help prevent a repeat of the massacre in Benue.
“Investing more in soft power systems can help bridge the gap between the state and citizens, particularly in internal security management.
“A citizen-focused approach can help prevent such tragedies,” he added.
The IPCR chief stated that the proposal highlights the need for a more inclusive and community-driven approach to security management.
“By empowering citizens and leveraging local knowledge, Nigeria can better address insecurity and promote peace,” he said.
