In order to combat the actions of terrorists and other security issues in the nation, the Nigerian Army has worked with the National Information and Technology Development Agency, or NITDA. The Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Faruk Yahaya, stated that the country was going through one of its most difficult periods in history while speaking at the seminar’s opening ceremony on Monday in Abuja.
The Chief of Transformation and Innovation, Maj. Gen. Charles Ofoche, spoke on behalf of Mr. Yahaya, who stated that the seminar’s goal was to increase attendees’ understanding. This was on the functions of inter-agency cooperation and the use of technology to handle issues with national security, he claimed. Given the numerous, complicated security concerns Nigeria is facing, he claimed that the nation was experiencing insecurity problems.
Additionally, he said that acts of terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, and insurrection by the BHT, ISWAP, IPOB, ESN, and other terrorist organizations were commonplace in the security situation. The activities, he continued, had consistently presented serious risks to the nation’s security and unity.
He contends that we must use the strength of our security agencies in order to address the complexity of these threats. To address the security issues, he claimed that both the federal government and several state governments have embraced a number of different policy choices.
“The kinetic approach has been given more weight. However, there is a significant need for non-kinetic initiatives, such as those that make use of technology and whole-of-government and society perspectives.
The head of the Army advised commanders in charge of security at all levels to make conscious efforts to encourage their staff to work effectively together during operations.
Without instruction in inter-agency cooperation, he claimed, this could not be done. He emphasized once more the need of security agencies acting in compliance with constitutional obligations and human rights laws when conducting operations.
The seminar’s main goal, according to NARC Director General Garba Wahab, was to bring together security agencies and other stakeholders to discuss strategies to combat insecurity. Technology education is essential, according to Mr. Wahab, who also added that since the Army uses it, it is not something to avoid.
Insecurity in Nigeria is a problem for everyone, according to Dr. Collins Agwu, director of research and development at NITDA. He said that every effort must be made to stop the problem. Despite significant investments made in the security sector, according to Mr. Agwu, the government has been unable to address the issue that has been threatening the country’s well-being for a considerable amount of time.
The Nigerian Army Resource Center, working with NITDA, organized the event.
NAN
