Security agencies in Anambra have met to discuss ways to develop new strategies to tackle internal security challenges and operations in the state. They rubbed minds state on Friday, February 26, at a workshop at the Military Cantonment in the commercial city of Onitsha which had as theme, “Enhancing the Capacity of Officers/Senior Non-Commissioned Officers Towards Combating Emerging Security Challenges”.

The workshop had in attendance the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division Nigerian Army Enugu, Major General I. Atahiru, officers and senior non-commissioned officers and representatives of all the security agencies in the state. It harped on the importance of synergy among all the security agencies, intelligence gathering, drug-related crimes, and jurisdiction of the security agents, among other things.

Declaring the event open, Governor Willie Obiano, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke, pointed out that security is the bedrock of development. He reeled out threats to security to include non-accountability and non-transparency at all arms of government.

The governor called on the Federal Government to look into greater funding of security agents, as well as timely training of security personnel and sharing of information among the security agents for a better crime combat.

Earlier in his speech, the Commandant, 302 Artillery Regiment, Onitsha, Col Isa Abdulahi, Governor Obiano for his unflinching interest and efforts at tackling several security challenges in the state.

Delivering a paper titled “Challenges of Internal Security Operations in Nigeria and Strategies to Tackle Them”, Col. C. A. Atagi reiterated the need for the provision and use of communication gadgets and assets, improved synergy among security agencies, leveraging on each other’s strength, provision of adequate and serviceable vehicles, among others.

Two discussants, Mr. Julius Owobole of the Department of State Service (DSS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Commandant, Alhaji Sule Momodu, spoke on improved welfare for the security agencies as well as infrastructural development, among other requirements.

They pointed out that better cooperation exists among the security agencies in the state because Governor Obiano treats them equally and advocated for the replication of such cooperation at other levels.

•Photo shows Governor Obiano.