Security stakeholders in Kogi state at a security summit have charged Nigerians to establish a cordial relationship with security agencies to stem the tide of insecurity that had bedeviled the country in recent time.
They also called on religious leaders to always preach the message of tolerance among peoples, regardless of culture, ethnicity or religion.
In a communiqué issued in Lokoja Wednesday which was signed by the Bishop Martin Olorunmolu, the Catholic Bishop of Lokoja , the stakeholders identified information sharing and communication as two critical areas to be improved upon in the fight against crime and criminality in the country.
The summit which was organised by the Catholic Church of Nigeria, Lokoja Diocese identified kidnapping, armed robbery, Fulani/farmers crises and cultism as the trending crimes in Kogi state and called for converted efforts to tackle the vices.
According to the communique “A rapid resolution of Farmer- Herders clashes through adequate compensations should be fairly implemented,”
The communique however called on religious leaders to intensify effort in preaching the message of tolerance among peoples, irrespective of culture, ethnicity and religion.
Parts of the communique reads: “Government interventions to security agencies must be sustained and enhanced. Attention must be given to procurement of necessary modern security facilities.
“The is need for security agencies to always protect those who give them sensitive security information.
“We call for the establishment of a structured and deliberately funded Peace and Conflict Resolution Commission that will focus on research, advocacy and capacity building in collaboration with security agencies, “the communique said
The stakeholders while commending the state Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello for showing determination to curb the menace of insecurity, decried inadequate involvement of traditional rulers in the security architecture of the state , saying that this must be revised, improved and be made effective.
They called for more efforts towards youth empowerment, employments and citizens’ welfare to help them divert their energy away from crime.
Critical stakeholders in attendance at the summit were the heads of security agencies, traditional rulers, and religious bodies including Christian Association Nigeria, Council of Ulama, media and civil society organisations.
