Prof. Samuel Odoma, has urged the Federal Government to have a firm grip and command of groups within the borders to improve security in the country.
He stated this at the 6th inaugural lecture of the Bingham University in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa state on Friday.
Odoma is a Professor of Criminology and Deviant Behavior, Faculty of Social Sciences, Bingham University.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the topic of the lecture is “The Imperative of Securing Nigeria’s Security”.
According to Odoma, Nigeria is not at war with another country but only contending with insurgents and insurrections from within.
He said it had lead to huge casualties and loss of helicopters, fighter jets, armuored tanks, patrol vehicles to bandits and gunmen.
He said this informed the need for government to have a firm grip, and adequate intelligence of activities of border communities.
According to him, this will help to ascertain the movement of persons in and out of the country.
Odama called for a change of attitude from the citizenry who believed that security is a project to be provided solely by the government.
“When a people believe, accept and sustain this kind of belief as it appears to be with majority of Nigerians today, security will no doubt be elusive as it has been.
“This may continue except there is a drastic change in attitude of the generality of Nigerians.
“The change in attitude as a veritable antidote to the present state of insecurity in Nigeria must be comprehensive, involving all stakeholders ,” he added.
He challenged formal agencies of social control to improve their performance, and come to terms with modern management of threats and insecurity.
“For instance an American citizen was abducted and held by bandits in a forest in Sokoto state in 2020.
“For this single citizen, the American government funded the flight of well kitted security operatives that located the camp of bandits in Nigeria, neutralised them and rescued their citizen unhurt.
“Several students have been abducted across Nigeria in the past five years, but it’s security agencies did not seem to know the locations and so cannot rescue them till date,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Haruna Ayuba, said that there was a need to step up the academic traditions of organising public and inaugural lectures.
“I am glad that Odoma heeded to the challenge. With the 6th inaugural lecture coming from Social Sciences.
“I also understand there will be another inaugural lecture before the year runs out. We commend those that are heeding the call and Management will continue to support such efforts.
“The importance of Inaugural Lectures in the University system cannot be overemphasized,” Ayuba said.
He said that some professors retire without doing that, because the cherished academic tradition has been neglected.
“We do not want this cherished academic tradition to be neglected in Bingham University and also do not want our Professors to retire without giving their inaugural lecture.
“We will sustain the academic tradition and university culture in Bingham University.
“From today’s lecture, you will have some take-aways that will not only improve your quality of life, but spur you to be a better citizen,” he said.
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