If we keep the same people in charge of the National Security Operations and recruit people on the basis of their political affiliations, then the National Security Strategy is just another document that is going to be on a paper, says Executive Director of West Africa Centre for Counter Extremism (WACCE), Mutaru Mumuni Muqthar.
For him, the National Security Strategy document should give the leaders of the country the opportunity to adopt new approach in handling “our security agencies, less we will continue to have the same output”.
Reacting to the National Security Strategy launched by the President on Monday June 7, 2021, the Executive Director of West Africa Centre for Counter Extremism (WACCE) said, the country has taken an important step in terms of security, however another important thing going forward is the implementation, adding that “we must consider seriously those put in charge of our security”.
He is of the opinion that, the image of the National Security and other security agencies, are slowly becoming a threat to stability of the country, singling out the operational unit of the National Security called SWAT, hence conscious effort must be made to recruit qualified and professional persons who are well trained in the fields of security to implement the document.
“I will say we need people who have analytical skills and nuance understanding of security coordination skills to ensure we preserve the National Security Ministry and all security agencies to ensure our security and stability”.
Mr. Muqthar said in terms of best practices, the state must ensure the involvement of Civil Society Organizations and citizens for continuous preservation of peace, while moving from what he called state centric approach to security because of the changing nature of security.
“Our National Security has become very unpopular in terms of operations and their proclivity to engage in human rights violation when dealing with citizens. So for me, I will ensure the document captures issues of human right and activities of security agencies that are human right compliant to ensure international best practices” he told Noel Nutsugah, host of Statecraft on Zylofon 102.1 FM.
