The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Anambra State Command, has called for stronger cooperation, collaboration and coordination among security agencies in the state, saying no single agency can effectively tackle the growing complexity of security threats alone.
The State Commandant of the Corps, Commandant Maku Olatunde, made the call yesterday while delivering a lecture at a one-day security summit organised by the Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS) at the Federal Secretariat, Awka.
Speaking on the theme, “Strengthening Inter-Agency Cooperation, Collaboration and Coordination for Effective Security in Anambra State,” Olatunde, who was represented by the command’s spokesperson, Superintendent of Corps Okadigbo Edwin, said the multidimensional nature of insecurity required security agencies to pool their resources, intelligence and expertise.
He explained that cooperation involved working together, collaboration required joint planning and execution, while coordination ensured that the efforts of various agencies were harmonised to prevent duplication and gaps.
“Without the three, we cannot win the war against crime and criminality,” he stated.
The NSCDC commandant identified kidnapping, terrorism, cultism, armed robbery, banditry, illegal mining and other violent crimes as threats requiring a coordinated response from security agencies.
He said criminals were not restricted by the jurisdictional boundaries of security agencies, stressing that effective collaboration was therefore essential to staying ahead of them.
“Criminals do not carry ID cards showing which agency they fall under. A kidnapper can operate in the forest in the morning and in the city in the evening. If all security agencies are not collaborating, then tackling insecurity will be far from us while the criminal wins,” he said.
Olatunde identified ego and turf-related issues, poor communication equipment, lack of trust and inadequate funding for joint operations as some of the major obstacles undermining effective inter-agency collaboration.
To address the challenges, he proposed the establishment of a 24-hour Joint Operations Command Centre in Awka, with representatives of relevant security agencies working together to facilitate rapid information sharing and coordinated responses.
He also advocated the standardisation of communication equipment among security agencies, regular joint training, drills and operations, as well as monthly joint security summits across the three senatorial zones of the state.
The commandant further called for the adoption of a community-based security model that would strengthen collaboration between security agencies and citizens.
He said the NSCDC, as the lead agency responsible for protecting critical national, state and local government assets and infrastructure, had continued to promote inter-agency cooperation through joint patrols with the military, police, Department of State Services (DSS) and other paramilitary agencies.
According to him, “The Anambra NSCDC Command also holds weekly intelligence fusion meetings, joint tactical and media training, and engages community stakeholders as part of efforts to strengthen security in the state.
“Inter-agency cooperation, collaboration and coordination is not just an option. It is the only option if we want Anambra to remain the Light of the Nation,” he said.
The NSCDC boss also stressed that security was a shared responsibility, urging residents to support lawful security agencies by providing timely and credible information on suspicious activities.
He called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, community associations and civil society organisations to promote vigilance, peace and collective responsibility in their communities.
“A society where citizens are indifferent to suspicious activities creates room for criminal elements to thrive,” he warned.
Olatunde pledged the continued commitment of the NSCDC to working with sister security agencies and other stakeholders to promote lasting peace and security in Anambra State.
The summit was attended by representatives of the Police, DSS, Nigerian Army, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Immigration Service and other critical stakeholders, including youths.
