Nigeria’s Security Chiefs unite to address insecurity

By: Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja.

The Nigerian Correctional Service, the DSS, and other agencies have clarified the issue of superiority struggles within the national security architecture, as perceived by Nigerians, saying it only exists in the minds of Nigerians.

Standard-Times Nigeria correspondent gathered during the National Security Summit held at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, on Wednesday, that the service chiefs stated: “The idea of superiority in Nigeria’s security agencies only exists in the minds of Nigerians.”

However, a keynote speaker noted: “A society where justice is elusive will never have peace,” Prof. Samuel stated.

Prof. Samuel emphasized that insecurity is the greatest enemy to human lives. He remarked that inter-agency conflicts, superiority struggles, disparities in socialization modes among elites, and economic poverty are major gaps in national security that hinder investment and tarnish Nigeria’s national image.

In this regard, a one-day National Security Summit and the unveiling of the Institute’s Abuja Training Centre with the theme “Harmony in National Security: Fostering a Holistic Approach to National Security” was held on Thursday, 24th April 2025, bringing together all heads of security agencies to address the complexity of insecurity in Nigeria, particularly in Plateau, Benue, Edo, Borno, Zamfara, and other regions.

Emphasizing the significance of the National Security Summit, Prof. Odoma U. Samuel, a Professor of Criminology at the Department of Sociology, Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State, who served as the keynote speaker, said:

“Over the past ten decades, global environmental and economic stability, and living together as one nation, have all become units of what constitutes national security,” Prof. Samuel stated.
He added that “harmony in security includes institutional coordination, health, education, and socio-cultural aspects.”

Terrorism and insurgency, kidnapping, rural violence, digital fraud, cybersecurity threats, climate-related insecurity, herders/farmers clashes, and fake news have all thrown the country into palpable fear, causing many businesses and economies to crumble in the most affected areas.

To address these identified security challenges, Prof. Samuel said:
“Provision of security is not only crucial but equally complicated, such that no single agency can handle it alone. All inter-agencies must adopt a multi-task approach and ensure the welfare of security personnel,” he stated.

Strategic pillars to avert these menaces were also proposed by the keynote speaker. He emphasized moving from reactive to preventive security.
“The digital age has brought about digital vulnerabilities,” he noted, proposing the need for strong digital and cyber resilience.

To reinforce a culture of peace, he proposed civic education on conflict resolution, emphasizing community leadership as a bridge builder.

For a peaceful society, the keynote speaker stressed that the superiority struggles among security agencies must end, and the expansion of counter-violence initiatives must be embraced.

He added that inter-agency collaboration and the existence of a national security agency structure are signs of hope. He urged the security chiefs to adopt a holistic framework for national security, stating that: “Security is not merely a government program but must be a product of national harmony.”

At the end of the summit, all the security chiefs agreed on continuous training and retraining as measures to tackle national insecurity. They also emphasized that cooperation, collaboration, and coordination among inter-agencies are crucial to addressing insecurity in Nigeria.

Nigerians were urged to join hands with security agencies to curb the menace, as “security is the business of everybody, it should not be left solely in the hands of those in uniform,” according to the service chiefs.

A representative of the DSS said that to address inter-agency rivalry, joint training, and sporting activities are necessary. She also advised that the overlapping mandates of national security agencies should be reviewed and that bridging the knowledge gap through sensitization of the public is paramount.

The summit was attended by all the Nigerian service chiefs, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Inspector General of Police, the DSS, the NSCDC, and the Nigerian Correctional Service, among others. The event also featured awards presented to some notable Nigerians.

In attendance were Dr. S.A Adekunle, Executive Director / Head of Institute, Hon. Dr. Oyewole Ade Osinaike, Abuja Learning Centre, Director, and all the governing councils, Dr. Ade Abolurin D. Chairman, N. A Amusa PhD, Vice Chairman Dr. Dr. Adeyinka Bakare D. Member, HRH (Oba), Rasheed Salami D. Member, Hon. Dr. Adio Yusuf, Member, Barr. Oluremi Omoniyi member, Rev. John Olagunju member, and Dr. Aderemi Adekunle, secretary /Registrar General.