As concerns over the nation’s deteriorating security situation continue to mount, a civil society advocate has called for an urgent shift in strategy, emphasizing community resilience and grassroots intelligence gathering as critical tools to combat insecurity.
The Executive Director of Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution, Idris Miliki Abdul in a statement he issued on Friday, described the current security landscape as “worrisome,” urging governments at all levels to adopt innovative and inclusive approaches to safeguard lives and property.
Abdul stressed that strengthening community structures remains key to addressing emerging threats, noting that building trust and cooperation among residents could significantly enhance intelligence gathering and early warning systems.
According to him, state governments must take greater responsibility by actively supporting security frameworks within their jurisdictions, rather than relying solely on federal agencies.
He further advocated for the establishment of structured security committees in every village and local government area, comprising both serving and retired security personnel who possess valuable experience and local knowledge.
“Timely sharing of information among communities is essential. Security is everyone’s business, and no effort should be spared in ensuring that threats are identified and addressed before they escalate,” he said.
Abdul also called for the recruitment of more vigilante personnel by both state and local governments to complement formal security agencies.
He added that community-based operatives can provide rapid response and local insights often unavailable to centralized forces.
Highlighting the role of modern tools, Comrade Abdul emphasized the need to deploy technology for intelligence gathering and information dissemination, including surveillance systems and digital communication platforms that can enhance coordination among stakeholders.
He maintained that a collaborative approach involving government, communities, and civil society organizations would be instrumental in reversing the current security challenges facing the country.
The call comes amid growing public anxiety over safety across various parts of the nation, with stakeholders increasingly advocating for proactive and community-driven solutions.
