Amid heightened criticisms of the federal government’s handling of the country’s security challenges, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has claimed that the Bola Tinubu administration has deployed over 15,000 new security personnel to curb the menace.
The agency said they were engaged under the Renewed Hope Security Architecture to boost the crackdown on criminal elements nationwide.
Its director-general, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, through the NOA director of Reforms and Coordination, John Bala, made the revelation at the take-off of a nationwide enlightenment campaign in Katsina State on the government policies, value reorientation, flood mitigation and national security awareness.
He said the deployment was supported by new strategies and technologies, including drones, surveillance systems and armoured vehicles to enhance rapid response to threats.
Issa-Onilu said the campaign was designed to complement these efforts by engaging the citizens to become more security-conscious.
He appealed to Nigerians to be involved in the increasing efforts of the government to secure the country, the citizens and their property.
To him, “security is a shared responsibility. While the armed forces and other security agencies continue to strengthen their operations, the role of the citizen is equally critical.
“Our aim is to reach no fewer than three million Nigerians per state with messages that will improve vigilance and encourage timely reporting of suspicious activities,” the NOA boss said.
The nationwide campaign will span all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and the 774 local government areas through town hall meetings, advocacy visits, road shows and motor park rallies.
The DG stressed that security awareness is key to community resilience, adding that traditional rulers, religious leaders and the youth would play frontline roles in ensuring that neighbourhoods remain vigilant against criminal elements.
