Kogi SSAs Forum Urges Youths, Okada Riders, Others to Share Security Intelligence
The Forum of Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) to the Kogi State Governor on Youth Portfolio, Hausawa, Miyetti Allah and Food Security has called on youths, scavengers, Okada riders and other citizens to share vital information with security agencies to check rising insecurity in the state.
Convener and spokesman of the forum, Comrade Godwin SB Emmanuel, made the appeal, Thursday at a one-day security summit in Lokoja, themed: “Youth Inclusiveness in Security Management of Communities in Kogi State: Prospects and Challenges.”
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He said victory in the war against insecurity lies in citizens’ cooperation, adding that the forum decided to engage scavengers, okada riders and Miyetti Allah members because their daily activities place them in vantage positions to gather firsthand intelligence.
“We are interfacing with you, scavengers, okada riders and Miyetti Allah, because your activities allow you to get first-hand security information, which when shared with security agencies, can help check insecurity in Kogi State,” Comr. Emmanuel told participants.
He described the groups as critical stakeholders, urging their leaders and representatives at the summit to cascade the knowledge acquired to members for the realisation of the event’s objectives.
The summit featured a presentation on operational guidelines and code of ethics for youth involvement in community security by the Kogi State Commissioner of Police.
In his remarks, co-convener, Mr Maximilian Emmanuel Tashilani, emphasised the need to value the roles of scavengers, okada and tricycle operators, noting that they are best positioned to spot criminals daily.
“This summit is to equip you with primary skills to identify criminal elements and report them to security agencies,” he said.
Security expert, Chief Dr Joseph Ameh Erico, who also spoke, harped on community vigilance, citizens’ participation in security structures and cooperation with agencies.
He listed reporting of suspicious activities, joining neighbourhood watch groups and verifying information before sharing as key strategies to tackle insecurity.
The event aimed at promoting youth involvement in community security management and addressing sundry challenges in Kogi State.
