Okogwu, who serves as the National Leader of the party’s Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) wing, made the call in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday while reflecting on the nation’s security landscape and the urgent need for a broader strategy to protect lives and property.
According to him, although security agencies have continued to show dedication in confronting terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of violent crime, the country is yet to emerge from the shadow of insecurity.
He argued that the security challenge facing Nigeria is a hydra-headed monster that cannot be tackled by security operatives alone, stressing that governance, intelligence gathering, justice delivery, economic empowerment and community participation are all critical pieces of the puzzle.
Drawing from an encounter with a military officer years ago, Okogwu said the story underscored the importance of equipping security personnel with the tools, support and conducive environment needed to carry out their responsibilities effectively.
He noted that many operatives continue to work under difficult circumstances and deserve adequate resources, well-defined operational structures and consistent institutional backing.
The ADC stalwart observed that despite huge investments channelled into the security sector over the years, many citizens still yearn for safer communities and better protection from criminal elements.
He identified weak coordination among stakeholders, intelligence shortcomings, unemployment, porous borders and governance deficits as persistent cracks in the nation’s security architecture that must not be ignored.
“Security is a shared responsibility that requires collaboration among government institutions, security agencies, communities and citizens.
“It also requires accountability, effective leadership and policies that address the root causes of insecurity,” he said.
Okogwu also raised concerns about the disproportionate impact of insecurity on vulnerable populations, particularly persons with disabilities, who often face heightened risks during emergencies, conflicts and displacement.
He advocated the inclusion of PWDs in emergency response frameworks and humanitarian programmes, insisting that no group should be left behind when disaster strikes.
The ADC leader further warned that insecurity continues to cast a long shadow over families, education, agriculture, businesses and the country’s broader development aspirations.
He stressed that rebuilding public trust in institutions would require efficient service delivery and prompt responses to security threats.
Calling for a united front against criminality, Okogwu urged governments, security agencies, communities and citizens to close ranks in pursuit of a safer nation.
He expressed confidence that Nigeria could still turn the tide against insecurity if the right policies are implemented, institutions are strengthened and all stakeholders remain committed to the collective good.
For him, lasting peace and security are not merely aspirations but indispensable foundations for national growth and prosperity.
