As concerns over insecurity continue to grow in Nigeria’s North Central region, particularly in Benue State, a Public Affairs Analyst, Dr. Hafeez Suleiman Tosin, has called for the adoption of communal policing as a strategic measure to address the worsening security challenges.
Speaking on News Panorama, a programme on Royal FM Ilorin, Dr. Suleiman expressed partial support for the recent call by former Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd.), urging Nigerians to defend themselves against armed attacks. However, he cautioned against adopting foreign security models that encourage civilians to bear arms.
According to him, most Nigerians lack the necessary security awareness and training to handle firearms responsibly, warning that such an approach could escalate the already dire situation.
Lt. Gen. Danjuma had, over the weekend, urged citizens to take up self-defense, stressing that the government alone cannot win the war against insecurity. In reaction, Dr. Suleiman emphasized the need for local solutions rooted in community cooperation.
He recommended that security personnel be recruited from within the communities they serve, noting that such an approach would enhance trust, intelligence gathering, and swift response to threats.
