Stakeholders seek coordinated strategy to curb attacks on security operatives

Security agencies, civil society organisations and policymakers have called for an intelligence-driven and coordinated national strategy to curb the rising attacks on security operatives, warning that continued violence against officers threatens Nigeria’s unity, stability and state authority. The call was made at the National Security Dialogue of the Campaign Against the Killing of Security Personnel, […]

Security agencies, civil society organisations and policymakers have called for an intelligence-driven and coordinated national strategy to curb the rising attacks on security operatives, warning that continued violence against officers threatens Nigeria’s unity, stability and state authority.

The call was made at the National Security Dialogue of the Campaign Against the Killing of Security Personnel, held in Abuja at the weekend.

Speaking at the event, the National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Abdullahi Maiwada, described attacks on security personnel as deliberate attempts to weaken state authority and erode public confidence in law enforcement.

Represented by Assistant Superintendent of Customs I, Folusho Adeogun, he stressed that protecting security operatives requires sustained investment in intelligence gathering, training, technology, welfare and inter-agency collaboration, alongside stronger engagement with host communities.

“When communities see security personnel as partners rather than adversaries, intelligence flows more freely and threats are detected early,” he added.

Also speaking, Commander of the Mining Marshals of the Nigeria Security & Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Attah John Onoja, warned that attacks on security operatives embolden criminal networks involved in illegal mining, banditry and arms proliferation.

He urged communities to cooperate with security agencies, describing local populations as the first line of intelligence.