The Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar has said that the security set up in the country is currently on shambles and needs urgent attention.
Atiku who was speaking through his running mate, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa speaking on Sunday at the Presidential Town Hall Meeting Series held in Abuja called for a rejigging of the country’s security setup as what is presently obtainable cannot serve the nation.
He added that, the security men need more equipment coupled with use of modern technology will help to check insecurity in the country.
He said, “There’s no doubt that security is important and we will continue to require much more than we have at the moment. The security equipment that we have in this country are very few.
“I’m sure if you go to the Police Command now, such instruments that can identify criminals right to the spot are probably just one or two in their entire nation. That definitely is inadequate. We need to rework the security approach. There’s no doubt about that.
“As for the use of technology, it is very important and very critical, both for operations and intelligence gathering. We need to emphasise coordinated intelligence gathering and sharing.
“We also need men on the boot to be properly trained, well resourced, well paid and committed to their jobs. The only way they can get committed to their jobs is to have the required level of service that makes them happy enough to be able to commit themselves to their nation.”
He emphasized on devolving security architecture to the local levels adding that people at the local level have a better understanding of those in their vicinity.
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“We need to evolve policing in Nigeria to ensure that people who have a better understanding of their areas, know how to secure their areas. One centralized police force is unable to meet the demands that we have.
“We also need to address unemployment, otherwise, more young people will be drawn to contribute to the insecurity.
He highlighted the role of the private sector in the Nigerian project he hopes to lead if elected President of the country.
Okowa also spoke on how his principal(Atiku) would unite and lead the country on the path of development with the support of the private sector.
“Atiku is a successful businessman and a person who runs very successful academic institutions. We have a document, ‘My covenant with Nigeria,’ a common document on behalf of himself, myself and the PDP,” he said
“The private sector has a role to play. To make progress, we must talk about the unity of this country. Until we are able to unite ourselves and realize that we must think and work together, we may not be able to go through the path that will lead us to new growth.”
Speaking about debt servicing,Okowa recalled how former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his vice president, Atiku, obtained debt relief for Nigeria while in power.
“From 1999 to 2007, we knew where President Obasanjo and Vice President Atiku met the country and where they left it. Because of them, we were able to pay back a lot of our debt and we had debt forgiveness.
“In Delta State, we used to have agitations in oil-producing communities. But now, we have partnered in these communities to create jobs, create a new class of entrepreneurs and show people that we care about development,’’ the vice presidential candidate said.
He also promised that Atiku-Okowa presidency would also dialogue with all the ethnic groups in the country for peace to reign.