Mistrust, superiority complex, others, cause of frequent clashes among security agencies

Odomero Igbodo

Former Commissioner of Police in Enugu state, Emmanuel Ojukwu has identified lack of mutual respect, understanding and cooperation as major causes of frequent clashes among security agencies in the country.

Ojukwu who is the first force public relations officer, stated this in Enugu, Thursday as a guest lecturer at the maiden inter-agency public relations conference organized by the Public Relations department, Enugu state Command for public relations officers of sister security agencies in the state adding that Nigerians expect mutual trust and respect, understanding of various roles and individual differences as well as coexistence, cooperation and loyalty from security agencies in the country.

He observed that perceived severed relationship among security agencies in the country is linked to what he described as “sibling rivalry, misunderstanding, mistrust, misinformation, disinformation, prejudice, superiority complex, absence of SWOT analysis. Mad Dog Syndrome, as well as fake immunity for impunity and standalone syndrome” which he said, has grave implications for the security of the country.

Emmanuel Ojukwu who stressed the need for security agencies to complement one another urged them to exploit the various avenues for cooperation such as joint operation room, joint patrols, Mess interactions, sports, training and seminars, reciprocation of visits as well as celebrations and social media groups.

In a keynote address, the Police commissioner, Enugu state, Danmallam Mohammed said the conference with the theme: INTER-AGENCY RELATIONSHIP: A PANACEA FOR EFFECTIVE CRIME PREVENTION AND CONTROL”, could not have come at a better time than now in view of the growing need for security agencies to unite in defense of the country’s collective heritage by providing adequate and functional security to all Nigerians irrespective of creed, religion and political affiliation.

He said the conference is aimed at consolidating the existing cordial relationship among security agencies in the state for effective crime prevention and control using public relations.

“ I have no doubt in my mind that the relationship among sister security agencies in Enugu state has been very cordial, but you will agree with me that sometimes unnecessary issues tend to rear their ugly heads amongst us. This is what this conference has come to address; to re-emphasise and drum it into the ears of various personnel that there is no need to fight among ourselves after all no one agency all over the world can claim the monopoly of being able to provide security for the state or country”. He said.

Mohammed noted that the task of providing security is a tedious one and without unity among security agencies in the country much cannot be achieved.

In separate goodwill messages, the Enugu State Chairman, Nigeria Institute of Public Relations, Chike Ezugu, the state Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Anthony Ohanyere, Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, Edward Zamber represented by Anthony Uga and the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer , Security Watch Africa, Patrick Agambu described the conference as timely and stressed the need to sustain it.

The event was attended by heads of security agencies in the state as well as Public relations officers of security and para-military agencies in the state.