Insecurity: Group calls for enhanced civil, military relationship

Insecurity: Group calls for enhanced civil, military relationship

Security

By Diana Omueza

Abuja, June 6, 2024(NAN) Cleen Foundation, a public safety and security non-governmental organisation has called on security agencies to enhance transparency and accountability in their operations to boost public trust in communities.

Mr Gad Peter, Executive Director of the foundation made the call on Thursday in Abuja at a public presentation of a research findings on security dynamics, solutions and civil-military relations in the country.

Peter said that there was the need for clearer reporting of the activities of security agencies especially the military in communities, adding that cases of abuses and violations of rights should be properly captured.

“There is a need for enhanced transparency and accountability within security agencies, and this entails ensuring that mechanisms are in place to investigate and address abuses promptly and effectively.

“Community engagement should take the centre stage in improving civil-military relations and building trust between security agencies and the communities.

“Transparency and accurate dissemination of information, helps to dispel misconceptions and mitigates tensions that can arise due to poor communication,’’ he said.

According to him, continuous dialogue and effective communication among security agencies, policymakers, civil society organisations and the public is paramount to a peaceful society.

Peter commended the efforts of security agencies in significantly degrading the capacity of the extremists groups in the North-West and North-East part of the country.

He said, though the military operations has positively contributed to enhanced security in crisis prone areas, the safety and protection of civilians should remain paramount during operations.

“The military and the vigilance groups have supported the fight against insurgence, but there abound issues on how they relates with members of the host communities.

“These issues are linked to the kinetic approach initially adopted by the military and other dysfunctional approaches adopted by the security agencies.

“These created a vacuum in cordial civil-military relations in the affected areas.

“Adopting a non-kinetic approach by the military and paramilitary security forces in the fight against insurgency is an urgent necessity to improve civil/military relations,” he said.

Mr Paul Nyulaku, Country Director of International Alert, commended Cleen Foundation for the security research to underscore the ways security agencies performs with the aim to improve civil/military relations.

Nyulaku called for community engagement programmes to facilitate open dialogue between security agencies and the civilian population.

He  harped on the need to developing a gender-sensitive training programme for security personnel to address issues such as sexual violence and harassment, with a focus on respecting the rights and dignity of women and girls.

Nyulakus said that the organisation remains committed to supporting public safety and security initiatives that would foster development in the country.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

DOM/FEO/JPE

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Edited by Francis Onyeukwu/Joseph Edeh