A security expert, Edewor Egedegbe, has urged Nigerians to support the government in curbing insecurity in the country.
Egedegbe, who is a Pastor and Chairman, RobbyGee Security Limited, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Warri that the fight against insecurity should not be left to the government alone.
He urged citizens to always provide useful information to security agents to effectively respond to threats and ensure peace in all parts of the country.
Egedegbe, who is also the Secretary, Delta Peace Advocacy Committee (PAC) said community leaders, traditional rulers, security agents and ordinary citizens had roles to play in addressing security challenges in the country.
“Our security agents cannot be everywhere at the same time. It behooves the citizens to monitor and report suspicious movements in their various communities to security agents for response. Security is everyone’s business; citizens should be responsible in supporting and providing reliable information to security agencies in a bid to ensure peaceful co-existence.
“Security agencies should earn citizens’ trust by their actions, and not make themselves enemies of the people they are to protect through oppression, violation of constitutional rights, extortion, among others. Also, government should ensure and make adequate provisions for the well-being of her citizens and security personnel,” he said.
Egedegbe said that there was a direct link between security and development, noting that both were inseparable.
He said that sustainable development agenda recognised the need to build peaceful communities and good governance
The security expert stressed the importance of community policy, saying it was a transformative approach to law enforcement.
“Community policing is a strategy of policing that focuses on developing relationships with community members. In this concept, the police are entrusted with protecting citizens’ rights to liberty, equality and justice under the law and among others,” he said.
Egedegbe said the benefits of community policing and civil-military relations include: trust; reduction in crime rate and improved service delivery.
(NAN)
