NSCDC · @CIVILDEFENDERS
19th Jul 2014 from TwitLonger
NSCDC BOSS ADVOCATES EFFECTIVE TRAINING FOR SECURITY AGENCIES
The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Dr. Ade Abolurin at the weekend, while delivering lecture at the faculty of Social and management Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, on Prevention and Management of Electoral Violence in Nigeria, advocate for manpower development and capacity building for Security Agencies in the country as a panacea for curbing electoral violence.
At the Faculty Distinguished Lecture 2014, which was chaired by Otunba (Engr.) B.O. Osoba, a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, with other notable Nigerians in attendance, Abolurin stated that the security apparatus in Nigeria requires adequate overhauling through effective training, proper restructuring and provision of equipment for prompt discharge of their assigned mandate.
In appreciating the role of the Nigeria Police Force in curbing crime and criminalities as it relates to electoral violence during and after election along with other Security Agencies, the Corps Chief executive stated that, the Nigeria Police being the lead Agency in crime prevention has a crucial role to play in ensuring law and order as well as the sanctity of the electoral process.
This according to the Commandant General could be achieved through increased cooperation, partnership and synergy between the Police and other security agencies like Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Department of State Services, Immigration Service, the Armed Forces, Prisons Service and the Custom Service among others.
He noted that, while election remains an important tool with which the electorates translate democratic tenet into reality and effecting changes in government in contemporary democracy, there is an indispensable need for maintenance of peace, prevention and management of electoral violence in Nigeria during election period.
At the event, Abolurin disclosed that electoral violence arises due to inability of the opposition and relevant political actors to resolve perceived or real grievances which if not properly addressed could ultimately lead to escalated violence which is capable of truncating a strong, efficient and virile democracy, with its adverse effect on human security and social development of the country.
However, in spite of the endemic nature of electoral violence, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps boss opined that with adequate training and re-training of security personnel, electoral education, Anti-Corruption Crusade, Good Governance and electoral law reforms, electoral violence will be nipped in the bud and solutions will emerge to ensuring the consolidation of Nigeria democracy.
According to him, it is equally important to enlighten the citizens to shun violence and embrace a culture of peace to curtail insecurity and cycle of violence prevalent in our society.
CSC Okeh Emmanuel
CDPRO.