There is a need for synergy and cooperation among security agencies to foster national security, as no individual agency has the monopoly of strategy to overcome security challenges especially in a complex society like Nigeria.

Security agencies on Wednesday came together to brainstorm on “Fixing Nigeria’s security before, during and after 2023 general elections, a task for all “in Abuja at a security conference tagged Abuja security conference organised by People’s Security monitor.

Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC),Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, who delivered a paper said “the level of collaboration among members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Elections Security is poised to ensure adequate security and safety of citizens and that of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials and materials”.

He said;” Those pockets of threats and security challenges in the areas INEC may be raising concerns would be surmounted before the election year. On the preparedness of NSCDC, he said; “0fficers and men of the Corps are being trained for civil and tactical approaches, they know the importance of good conducts and display of professionalism before, during and after elections.

“The Corps remains apolitical and only interested in working for the collective good of the country, we will continue to partner with the Nigeria Police who is the lead agency in Internal Security and other security and law enforcement agencies to ensure a hitch free poll and guarantee a crime free environment to enable eligible voters exercise their voting rights.

“Although, security remains a critical issues, the role played by the judiciary and other relevant stakeholders may also be an important determinant of credibility of the election, he stressed.

In his contribution, spokesperson for the Department of State Services,(DSS) Dr. Peter Afunanya said politicians and the electorates must follow the rules guiding elections in the country.

He warned those who are bent on undermining the security of the country that security agencies are determined that they do not have their way, stressing ;”we are committed to a peaceful election”.

Commandant General of Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Dr. Umar Bakori said security is everybody’s business and that because the Vigilante Group of Nigeria is local and everywhere, other security agencies should partner with it.

His words;” we are are local and on ground before, during and after the election. Those who are wise, work with us because we know the terrain. We know the nooks and crannies of our community”.

National President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chris Isiguzo who was represented by Mr. Peter Onyebuchi Nze said the NUJ President could not attend the conference because he has been busy going round the country to sensitize journalists on the 2023 general elections.

Alhaji Isiaka Mustapha, Chief Executive Officer, People’s Security Monitor in his welcome address said the conference was organised to help fix Nigeria’s seeming fragile security at different levels and capacities.

“Nigeria our dear country is too precious to us to be left in the hands of agents of destabilization, collectively, we all owe Nigeria the responsibility of rising up to combat her enemies in whatever disguise, and bail her out from the claws of agents of insecurity,”he said.