Director of Gregory University, Uturu, Alhaji Yahaya Ndu, has urged the Federal Government to involve communities directly affected by insecurity in shaping security policies, arguing that victims often possess valuable information that could help tackle the country’s security challenges.
Ndu spoke on Tuesday at the First Daily National Dialogue on Security, organised as part of activities marking First Daily Media Network’s sixth anniversary, in Abuja.
He said there was a growing disconnect between decision-makers and citizens living in communities ravaged by kidnapping and other violent crimes.
“Those who are being kidnapped have the ideas of what to do. There is no interaction between them and those in authority, and this is a big problem,” he said.
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Ndu proposed a nationwide security dialogue beginning at the community level and progressing through wards, local governments and states, saying such an approach would ensure that security policies reflect the realities faced by ordinary Nigerians.
His remarks come as communities across several parts of the country continue to face attacks by bandits, kidnappers and other criminal groups, with stakeholders repeatedly calling for improved intelligence gathering and stronger collaboration between security agencies and local residents.
He said security would improve if authorities created more platforms for grassroots participation and encouraged citizens to contribute ideas capable of strengthening intelligence and preventing crime.