From MUSLIUDEEN ADEBAYO, Ibadan
A Professor of Criminology, Victimology and Security Studies, at Lead City University, Ibadan, Oludayo Tade has declared that poor inter-agency collaboration among security agencies is undermining security management in the country.
Tade made this declaration while delivering the 4th lecture of Faculty of Management and Social Sciences of the university.
The don while speaking on the topic “Can Two Walk Together Except They Agree?Awusa Culture and Inter -Agency Relations in Nigeria’s Security Ecosystem”, said that absence of inter-agency collaboration among security agencies in the country, is a major factor militating against effective conflict resolution and security management in Nigeria.
Tade, while addressing the gathering, noted that the synergy and cooperation exhibited by criminals is incredible especially when such traits is not a principle in the operation between and among security agencies.
The don while speaking at the lecture organised by the Department of Sociology, Psychology, Criminology and Social Work under the leadership of Dr. Jane Adebusuyi, maintained that research has identified this cooperative tendency as the success factor in the operation of criminal elements while it has been the bane of security progress and crime fighting in Nigeria.
He added that strained relationships at security organisational levels manifest in overt display of violence against one another in public.
He maintained that political decisions should be used as a solution to inter-agency security cooperation in the country.
“Available evidence indicates that poor inter-agency collaboration among Nigeria’s security institutions is one of the major factors militating against effective conflict resolution and security management in Nigeria.
“The consequence of not working effectively together culminates in an increasing fear of insecurity and diminished trust in the capabilities of the security system to protect the lives and properties of civilian populations across Nigeria in general and terror-intensive zones in particular.
”The 2023 Global Terrorism Index (GTI) places Nigeria in the right position of countries worst hit by the negative outcome of terrorists’ activities. From Boko Haram in the Northeast, banditry and criminal kidnapping in the Northwest, secessionist agitations in the Southeast, South-south and Southwest, the security system in Nigeria is practically overstretched.
“In this case, only the working together of these units that make up Nigeria’s security system will de-escalate conflict and neutralise security threats through complimentary operations and credible intelligence sharing, among others”.
