Security Challenges: COAS sanctions training for Personnel of Private Security Outfits.

Against the backdrop of increased security threats in the country especially as regards kidnapping and terrorist’s acts, Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Yusuf Buratai has given approval for the training of security personnel of reputable companies and private organizations in the country.

The action of the COAS is aimed at raising awareness and improving the competencies of security personnel against terrorism and emerging security threats.

Making the disclosure on Wednesday in Abuja at a 2-day capacity building workshop, the DG, Nigerian Army Resource Center, Major General Johnny Hamakin noted that it was the belief of the COAS that Nigeria’s security cannot be left solely as the responsibility of government security agencies and institutions

Hamakin said this against the backdrop of growing security challenges especially terrorism, militancy, kidnapping and armed robbery in the country and the need to respond to them with multi-facetted strategies.

The DG said Lt. General Buratai endorsed the training given the fact that some security service organizations had not risen to the occasions of tackling major security challenges in the country due to lack of required deterrent responses and lack of ” capacities and competencies to checkmate the ugly trends.”

Insisting that the security of any nation was sacred and of utmost value to her citizens, Hamakim, recalled that there was time in the country when security was seen as the sole responsibility of government.

He expressed concern that the spate of terrorism, violent extremism, militancy and other violent crimes like kidnapping and armed robbery had since changed the narrative.

“Today, terrorists strike at business premises and other soft targets just to cause havoc and announce their presence.

“Innocent people are abducted while individuals are equally kidnapped or robbed on highways, offices and homes with ease.

“Some security service operations have not always risen to such occasions with the required deterrent responses. Others lack the capacities and competencies to checkmate these ugly trends.

“Consequently, the overall aim of the workshop is to raise security awareness and build appropriate capacities and competencies for improved security service delivery generally, “he said.

Towards achieving objective, he said seasoned scholars and security experts from the academia, military and other relevant stakeholders were drawn to serve as resource persons at the workshop.

Besides adding value, he said the training would contribute to the nation’s human resource development in the corporate security sector as well as enhance human and national security

General Hamakim was represented at the event by Brigadier General Okechukwu Ugo.

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