Former President Goodluck Jonathan, has urged Nigerians and security agencies to move from a state of suspicion to a culture of trust in addressing the security challenge currently confronting the country.
He stated this at a roundtable on security and civic engagement in Nigeria, organised by Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) in Abuja, yesterday.
The former president and chairman of GJF, said Nigeria, like other countries, faced severe security threats, ranging from insurgency and banditry to kidnapping, communal clashes and cybercrime.
These challenges, according to him, not only undermine the safety and well-being of citizens but also threaten the very fabric of the country’s unity and economic progress.
He said that while Nigeria had made significant strides in combating some of the threats, the evolving nature of insecurity demanded that the country continually reviewed its strategies and adopt more holistic approaches.
“Security is not just the responsibility of government or security agencies; it is a collective responsibility that requires the active participation of all citizens and stakeholders.
“Today, we gather again as stakeholders, united by a common purpose: to explore ways of addressing these pressing security challenges facing our nation and to seek innovative ways of fostering civic engagement as a tool for sustainable peace and development.
“Citizens often feel frustrated by delays in justice, heavy-handed security measures and the challenge of accountability in governance.
“Security agencies, on the other hand, operate under immense pressure, expected to maintain law and order despite limited resources, institutional constraints and the complexities of modern security threats.
“This situation has created a cycle of mutual suspicion. Hence, this roundtable presents an opportunity to break the cycle of misunderstanding and clear misconceptions and build a better synergy and co-operation between security forces and the public.”
Jonathan further stated that one of the most significant expected outcomes from the roundtable was to find ways of bridging the gap between security agencies and citizens. According to him, no society thrives where security agencies and citizens see themselves as opposing forces.
“In the bid to achieve a peaceful, stable and democratic Nigeria, these two interests will have to move from a position of mistrust to one of cooperation.
“We must move from a state of suspicion to a culture of trust, from conflict to cooperation and from fear to mutual understanding,’’ he said.
Jonathan urged all participants to engage in open, honest and constructive discussions to develop actionable recommendations that would make a difference in the lives of Nigerians.
National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, pledged security agencies’ commitment to a rights-based approach to security that upholds human rights, the rule of law and democratic principles in advancing national security.
The NSA, represented by Director of Communication in his office, Maj.-Gen. Samad Akesode, however, called for collective stakeholders’ efforts and engagements in securing the country.
He said security could not be achieved in isolation, but through active participation of all stakeholders—government, civil society organisations and the private sector.
“This aligns with the vision of President Bola Tinubu, who has emphasised the importance of collaborative governance and civic engagement in addressing our nation’s security challenges.
“By working together, we can build a more secure, stable and prosperous Nigeria.
“Since assuming office, the NSA has pursued a strategic approach to security governance, anchored on key objectives that will enable lasting peace and stability for our country.
“A fundamental priority is building trust and strengthening partnerships by enhancing transparency and accountability in security operations.
“Institutionalising structured dialogues between security actors and civic groups remains essential as well as deepening community engagement to ensure security measures align with local realities,’’ he said.
Ribadu commended the foundation for organising the event, saying that it provided a platform to strengthen partnerships, build trust and develop collaborative approaches to security governance.
Also speaking, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, expressed the commitment of the police to effective and inclusive policing through community engagement.
Egbetokun, represented by a Police Commissioner, Felix Oben, said the police force was interested in discussions and ideas that would improve the quality of service delivery it was offering the country.
Director General of Department of State Services, Mr Adeola Ajayi, also urged Nigerians to be more observant and and speak up whenever they observed activities of perpetrators of insecurity.
Ajayi, represented by a DSS Deputy Director, Uwadi Chibuzor, said securing Nigeria was a collective responsibility.
“I reiterate, if you see something, you say something, because by keeping quiet, we condone and cover evil. These perpetrators are not ghosts; they live within the community where we live,’’ he said.
Director-General of GJF, Ms Ann Iyonu, said that the roundtable was aimed at fostering understanding and mutual trust among Nigerians, security agencies and civil actors.
Iyonu described the event as a follow up to the one organised by the foundation in 2021, when GJF published a pivotal report entitled: `Banditry and Terrorism in Nigeria: The Nexus’.
She said one of the challenges of enhancing effective security in the country identified in that report was a breakdown of trust between citizens and the state, particularly the security agencies.
“We aim to build consensus on identifying and resolving issues that have marred this relationship between ordinary Nigerians and security agencies.
“This is particularly in the light of new and emerging technology; how do we navigate the whole issue of the cybercrime act and, of course, the economic landscape?
“We believe that fostering dialogue between Nigerians and the security agencies is crucial for building trust,’’ she said.
Iyonu said that GJF understood that peace, security, good governance and credible elections were critical to achieving sustainable development on the African continent.
“As a foundation, we recognise that every country’s development is relative to the peace that obtains in its nation space.
“For us as a foundation, peace is a product of conscious effort, nurtured over time by all segments, by every stakeholder of the society,“ she said.
The director-general said that GJF, in its 10 years of existence, had actively explored opportunities for strengthening democratic governance, promoting peaceful transfer of power and encouraging the respect for the rule of law across Africa.