…Decry inter-agency rivalryÂ
From Odunayo Agboluaje, IbadanÂ
President, Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC), Rev. Israel Akanji; a Professor Criminology and Social Problems at the Lead City University, Ibadan, Oludayo Tade; a security expert, Amb. Adelowo Yekini and others, on Wednesday, called on the Federal Government to increase the capacity of security agents in order to defeat the myriad of security challenges plaguing Nigeria.
They also decried rivalry among security agents, lamenting that Nigeria would  not win the war if there is unhealthy competition among security officers who are supposed to work in synergy.
The made the call during the graduation and fellowship induction ceremony of the Institute of Criminology and Strategic Studies {ICSS}, which was held at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Akanji emphasized the need for the Federal Government to increase numerical and financial capacities as well as motivation packages  of the nation’s security agents.
Rev. Akanji said: ‘’We have seen a lot of rivalry situations where security agencies are fighting themselves openly and therefore criminals will be happy, they will have their full day. So, the point here is that we want to encourage the federal government to increase the strength of the security agencies not only numerically, but also give them the resources  they need for their work, ensuring that they have good motivation, good salary and when that is done.
‘’We also want to appeal to the leaders of the security agencies to ensure collaborations by meeting periodically to be able to say that they are all out for one purpose: to ensure security in Nigeria. If they do that, we believe that things will be much better for us’’.
Tade, who was the guest lecturer, spoke on the theme: ‘’Fostering Inter-agency Collaboration for Effective Security Coordination in Nigeria’’.
The security scholar said:‘’The feeling of animosity against one another is not ideal. We cannot win the war against insecurity when there is inter-agency rivalry. The consequences of not working together effectively culminate in increasing fear of insecurity and diminished trust in the capabilities of the security system to protect lives and property. Concerted efforts are needed’’.
Yekini, the Oyo State Commandant of Peace Corps of Nigeria{PCN}, who was awarded a Fellowship of the Institute, said there must be collaboration among agents. Another awardee, Miss Azizat Salako, said security is key in nation building.
Earlier, the Registrar General of ICSS, Dr. Samuel Adekunle, said solutions must be provided to the incessant cases of insecurity. On his part, the Oyo State Coordinator of ICSS, Kayode Gbenga, said the awardees had acquired academic and professional expertise in security.