Security is too delicate to be left in the hands of the security sector and its personnel only. This is because it concerns the lives and property of all living in the society. It needs the total contribution of all sectors of the society to be able to mitigate the challenges it faces.
In the western world, the dependence of security on the overall contribution of all in the society is well understood and comprehended. That is why they have a very robust security intelligence network where government is aware and in trend with developments in every sector of the State. What better way is it to get all involved, than to give all the opportunity and listening ear to contribute their own quota of opinions of thought to societal challenges and issues as they occur!
These opinions of thought are Ideas. Ideas can be likened to the engine room of a ship, which propels it through the calm and troubled waters of the seas. The Nigerian security sector, as an organisation, can be regarded as a ship which requires a strong engine to power and propel it forward, likewise also, through the calm and troubled waters of its endeavours and challenges.
The strong engine is shared ideas, which also include people's opinions, suggestions and thoughts on security matters as they develop. Such is the importance and usefulness of ideas which brings innovation and desired change. The Nigerian state security agencies stands to achieve a lot, if it would open itself more to the secular world for ideas and inputs because the secular (or civil) world runs organisations which are very much actively involved in societal activities from which these security challenges or issues emanate.
These civil organisations which are run by concerned, spirited, well educated and enlightened persons have many useful opinions and suggestions to render to our security agencies, if they would care to listen. This is because many of these civil organisations have ties with international agencies which are well abreast with current security trends in the world and their possible solutions.
But if these ideas or opinions are not heeded, put to use or acted upon, they cannot be of any benefit and neither can we cope with changing and challenging times, as we now see in the present security situation!
The present security scenario of the methods and tactics of operations of the dreaded islamic sect in Nigeria,Boko Haram, and its invincibility to our security agencies, has proved that it is not a fight for our security agencies alone!
There is now an urgent need for an integrated effort from all concerned to put heads together including state security agencies to make it a priority to harness intelligence information from the organised civil sector on all security matters including on the operations of the dreaded sect- Boko Haram!
This approach will surely make our state security agencies better prepared to handle future similar security situations and ease the burden on its shoulders and also improve its image in the fight against terrorism.
