[size=14pt]Presidency set to overhaul security system over Abuja, Jos, Borno crises[/size]
Font size: Yusuf Alli 18/01/2011 00:35:00
Jonathan

The Presidency is contemplating an overhaul of the security system nationawide, it was learnt yesterday.

The measure may not be unconnected with the seeming unending crises in some parts of the country.

The government may also withdraw soldiers from internal crisis points like Jos and Maiduguri in Plateau and Borno states.

Investigation indicated that the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) is coordinating the review of the National Security Strategy.

All security agencies are part of the proposed policy which might take immediate effect.

It was gathered that the heavy security cordon during the recent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primaries and Armed Forces Remembrance Day, even though needful in the face of recent security threats, was not in sync with the ideology that underpins this new security thinking.

Findings showed the exercise will be carried out in a way that is “likely to promote ambient but non-intrusive security.”

A top security source said the proposal will also cover far-reaching police reforms and citizen mobilisation.

According to the blueprint, the government might limit the role of the military in internal security management.

It was gathered that the Presidency is concerned that deployment of soldiers to manage crises in the country has been affecting Nigeria ’s contributions to peace-keeping missions abroad.

It was also learnt that the government is uncomfortable that soldiers are taking over the traditional roles of the Police.

Also to be addressed is strengthening the working relationship among security agencies, so as to elevate security as a stimulus for national development.

The source said: “The challenges in some of these flashpoints like Abuja , Jos and Maiduguri will soon be over. In apparent response to recent security incidents, the Federal Government is reconsidering its national security strategy.

“The highpoint of this new thinking, is the formulation of an all involving security strategy which could include possible reduced involvement of security forces in civil conflicts, police reforms, increased citizen mobilisation, awareness and participation in national security.

“The policy thrust whose development is being coordinated by the office of the NSA was in response to government’s concern over the increasing use of military forces in civil conflicts and relative alienation of the populace from the national security management process.

“The traditional thinking was that because of the routine interface between the police and the public, the military should be invited into crisis situations to provide what we call ‘shock effect’, and withdraw after stabilising the situation.

Regrettably, we now have growing instances where our forces stay too long in theatres of conflict, blunting the essence of their intervention.

The government is not unmindful of its other commitments to contributing troops to international peace-keeping operations and is therefore, uncomfortable with the growing situation where more and more troops have to be deployed for internal security operations.

“As part of the new national security thinking, the government is reportedly disposed to the idea of increasing citizens’ mobilisation and awareness that national security is the collective duty of all.”

The source added that Nigerians may be mobilised to play key roles in the management of security.

He said: “The government is not comfortable with a situation where citizens see national security as the responsibility of government or security agencies alone.

“The government is already thinking of national security beyond the traditional perceptions. This new thinking is enhanced public safety as the goal. “To achieve this, a conscious drive must be made towards public mobilisation.

“The government is thinking of raising public consciousness in this regard. We have seen instances where public participation helped the cause of national security.

“But for the bravery of passengers on board the plane, perhaps Abdulmutallab would have succeeded in bringing down the plane. Also, but for the bravery of one person who overpowered the gunman as he tried to reload his gun in the recent Arizona shootings, the casualties would have been more.

“At present, there is an unacceptable gap between our security agencies and the public which can only encourage diminishing confidence on the part of the public to supply the agencies with intelligence that is vital to the success of their operations.

“The government wants to build public confidence in the security agencies, to see increased collaboration, leading to citizens offering information to the agencies. Without intelligence, they can do little. That is why it is a cardinal objective of this new security doctrine to encourage the public to see national security as a collective responsibility”.

“The new security strategy, which the official explained would define the Goodluck Jonathan presidency, would address such issues as the porosity of our borders and ports of entry in view of the dangers of arms proliferation as well as police reforms intended to deliver tangible results, and improved national crises’ management.

“The new thinking seeks to develop a comprehensive arrangement for more coordinated and efficient response to crisis and emergencies, which are inevitable in life, but government is concerned about how a well-mobilised citizenry can help in the face of such by remaining calm.”

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Long overdue.