Expert Launches Civil Intelligence Initiative For Grassroots Security

A criminology and security expert, Princess Omobolanle Ogundiran, has unveiled ‘The Intelligentsia Nigeria’ to boost community engagement and strengthen grassroots security.

Ogundiran launched the initiative in Abuja at an event themed, “Strengthening national security through women and youth development: A civil intelligence approach.”

The event featured training sessions, a book launch and certification for the participants.

Ambassador Ogundiran said that the government alone cannot address Nigeria’s growing security challenges and stressed the need for communities, traditional institutions, and families to take an active role in crime prevention.

She said tackling insecurity requires a return to community values and stronger collaboration among households, religious leaders and traditional rulers.

“We must go back to our roots, from our homes to our communities and traditional institutions. We must come together to fight crimes and criminal activities,” she said.

Ogundiran expressed concern over youth involvement in criminal activities, noting that minors between zero and 18 years account for about 20 to 30 per cent of minor crimes, including petty theft and school-related offences.

She added that youths between 18 and 35 years were responsible for about 70 to 80 per cent of major crimes such as cybercrime, violence, banditry and terrorism.

The security expert emphasised the importance of early intervention through youth orientation and empowerment of women and argued that financially stable, socially engaged women could positively influence younger generations.

She said strengthening local intelligence through traditional institutions would also help security agencies obtain timely information to prevent crimes before they escalate.

“This campaign has begun. We have unveiled it, and it will move across the country. Some schools are already using it as a club to engage communities,” she said.

Ogundiran insisted that the initiative was non-political, describing it as a patriotic effort to improve national security.

“We have no other country except Nigeria. Security is everybody’s business and we must all be involved,” she added.

She disclosed that the project had commenced in the North-Central zone, starting with the Federal Capital Territory, with plans to expand to other states nationwide before the next election cycle.

Ogundiran urged the federal government to introduce reforms to strengthen civil intelligence structures and provide financial and technical support for youth and women’s empowerment programmes.