Niger gov urges security agencies to adopt technology in tackling insecurity

The Governor of Niger State, Abubakar Bello has urged the military and other security agencies to adopt the use of modern technology in tackling terrorism, banditry and other forms of criminality in the country.

The Niger State governor made the call while presenting a paper at the Higher Defence Course 30 of the National Defence College (NDC) on Friday in Abuja.

The paper was titled: “Whole of Society Approach to Combating Insecurity”

He also called for a more cordial working relationship and more understanding among security agencies to help reduce some of the security challenges in different parts of Nigeria.

The governor said that it was imperative to consider the deployment of modern technology to rid the country of insecurity, considering the size and terrain of the various states facing security challenges.

Açcording to him, the deployment of technology will help monitor the forests where the criminals perpetrate their activities to augment air surveillance by the Nigerian Air Force.

He said that the state had been working with security agencies to find lasting solution to the problem, especially on the need for technology deployment.

Bello said at least, eight local government areas had been under the siege of bandits and that the only solution was to apply technology to address the problem.

Bello said there was the need to tighten the nation’s border patrol to reduce influx of light and heavy arms into the country.

“We all know that these bandits are heavily armed with all sorts of weapons, AK-47, AK-49, RPGs and GPMGs or whatever.

“So, it is important that we do whatever we can to control movements in and out of Nigeria so that we can prevent these arms from coming in.

“At the same time, it is also important for all the agencies like the customs and immigration to intensify efforts toward monitoring activities at the borders and make sure that whatever movements or goods within and outside the country have been thoroughly searched.,’’ he said.

According to Bello, surveillance through technology is key to tackling insecurity in the state and elsewhere.

“We need to do a lot of surveillance since we don’t have enough boots to send people to the forest to go and survey the entire forest.

“The Air Force has been very supportive but you know, the weather now is not very friendly and visibility is poor.

“So most times when the air force fly, do a few sorties, they are not able to see anything usually they will see normal activities.

“So, we need to deploy quiet systems that are able to operate day and night to tell us exactly what’s going on within the forest.

“We have many of these forests, for instance the one in Borgu is 5,000 square kilometers and with 5,000 square kilometers you can easily disappear,” he said.

Bello said the state government had been doing its best to address the security challenges through collaboration with the military and other security agencies such as introduction of vigilance system and logistic support.

He also disclosed that his administration had ensured that governance was brought closer to the people by granting full autonomy to the local governments, provision of infrastructure and revamping of health and educational facilities.

The Commandant of NDC, Rear Adm. Muktar Bashir, commended the state government for its efforts toward addressing security challenges in the state .

Bashir said the governor had remained focused in spite of the series of attacks on communities by the bandits in different parts of the state.

He said the lecture was in furtherance of the college’s effort to develop an all- society approach to proffering solutions to security challenges.

“We are encouraged by the fact that you have been able emplace proactive and holistic measures to address the security challenges in the state.

“Such measures include establishment of the vigilance corps and your resolve not to dialogue with bandits as well as the logistic support to security agencies.

“We also note with admiration, how in spite the security challenges, you have been able to remain focused and to emplace a people centric approach to governance which has led to the provision of requisite infrastructure that has imparted positively on the lives of the people.

“In addition, we know how you have emplaced a bottom-up approach to governance, which has led to an all-inclusive governance structure which has also facilitated the inclusion of non-state actors in the security architecture of the state.

The commandant lauded the governor for the lecture, saying the participants would draw useful lessons from it. (NAN)