Jonathan canvasses mutual trust between citizens, security agencies to tackle insecurity

Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday urged Nigerians and security agencies to move from a state of suspicion to a culture of trust in addressing the country’s security challenge.

Jonathan made the call at a roundtable on security and civic engagement in Nigeria, organised by Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) in Abuja.

The former president, who is the Chairman of GJF, said Nigeria, like other countries, faced severe security threats, ranging from insurgency and banditry to kidnapping, communal clashes, and cybercrimes.

These challenges, according to him, not only undermine the safety and well-being of citizens but also threaten the very fabric of the country’s unity and economic progress.

He said that while Nigeria had made significant strides in combating some of the threats, the evolving nature of insecurity demanded that the country continually review its strategies and adopt more holistic approaches.

He said: “Security is not just the responsibility of government or security agencies; it is a collective responsibility that requires the active participation of all citizens and stakeholders.

“Today, we gather again as stakeholders, united by a common purpose: to explore ways of addressing these pressing security challenges facing our nation and to seek innovative ways of fostering civic engagement as a tool for sustainable peace and development.

“Citizens often feel frustrated by delays in justice, heavy-handed security measures and the challenge of accountability in governance.

READ ALSO: Politicians act irresponsibly because Nigerians celebrate the wrong things —Jonathan

“Security agencies, on the other hand, operate under immense pressure, expected to maintain law and order despite limited resources, institutional constraints and the complexities of modern security threats.

“This situation has created a cycle of mutual suspicion.

“Hence, this roundtable presents an opportunity to break the cycle of misunderstanding and clear misconceptions and build a better synergy and cooperation between security forces and the public.”

Jonathan stressed that one of the most significant expected outcomes from the roundtable was to find ways of bridging the gap between security agencies and citizens.

“No society thrives where security agencies and citizens see themselves as opposing forces.

“In the bid to achieve a peaceful, stable and democratic Nigeria, these two interests will have to move from a position of mistrust to one of cooperation.

“We must move from a state of suspicion to a culture of trust, from conflict to cooperation and from fear to mutual understanding,’’ the ex-president stated.

In his remarks, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, pledged security agencies’ commitment to a rights-based approach to security that upholds human rights, the rule of law, and democratic principles in advancing national security.

Ribadu, represented by Director of Communication in his office, Maj.-Gen. Samad Akesode, however, called for collective stakeholders’ efforts and engagements in securing the country.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now