* As NUJ holds public lecture
From Emmanuel Onwusoro, Ado-Ekiti
Community policing has been suggested as the best approach to curb crimes in the Southwest geopolitical zone of the country.
The Corps Commander, Ondo State Amotekun Security Outfit, Akogun Ade Adeleye, advocated this at a public lecture organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Ekiti State Council, in Ado-Ekiti, the State capital.
Titled, “Breaking the Barriers to a Secure Society” the Corps Commander said improving the security architecture of the zone entails empowering communities through community policing, civic engagement and social programmes which are essential to building a resilient society.
According to him, communities play a crucial role in preventing crimes, countering extremism, and promoting social cohesion. “Therefore, through involving communities in our security network, we can create a safer, friendly, and more secure society”.
Akogun Adeleye observed that the concept of security goes beyond the mere absence of violence and conflict, rather, it encompasses the protection of individuals, communities and nations from threats that endanger their well-being and livelihoods.
He stressed that a secure society is one where people can live in peace, with their rights and freedoms protected, and also have access to opportunities for growth and development.
The security expert further explained that to achieve this is often challenging due to various barriers that impede progress, which can be internal, as corruption, weak institutions, and social inequality, or external, such as terrorism, organized crime, and cyber threats.
