Stakeholders in the security sector have given tips on how to end the security challenges in the county.

The suggestions are contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the maiden national security course on Psychological Operations and Strategic Communication, held in Abuja.

The five-day course was organised by the Directorate of Psychological Operations, Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).

The experts said the government must take over ungoverned spaces, which have become a haven for non-state actors, including bandits and terrorists.

They also said a lack of means of livelihood has made communities vulnerable to radicalisation by non-state actors.

The experts observed that poor governance and leadership equally motivate crimes and make the reintegration of ex-combatants into society very challenging.

According to the communiqué, psychological operations and strategic communication should be given prominence in achieving national security objectives.

They also canvassed for appropriate regulatory policy to checkmate the spread of fake news and hate speech, which are inimical to national security.

The communiqué added that relevant security should leverage technology and artificial intelligence to combat insecurity and trace sources of crime.

According to the stakeholders, inter-agency rivalry, especially among security services, must be eliminated to ensure success in addressing emerging security challenges.

They observed that Nigeria’s diversity has been one of the weaknesses undermining the country’s progress and development, and as such, efforts must be made to mobilise citizens to put Nigeria first above all other interests.

The stakeholders said there should be a national doctrine or policy, backed by law, to guide the deployment of psychological operations and strategic communication to realise the national security objectives.

The participants also called for the establishment of a Joint Coordinating Centre and an inter-agency committee by the Office of the National Security Adviser to drive psychological operations and strategic communication in Nigeria.

“The media and traditional institutions should play a major role in shaping public attitudes through their respective channels of communication.

“Inter-agency collaboration should be sustained, especially among security services, for coordinated activities for national safety and security.

“Civil society organisations, community-based organisations and non-governmental organisations should be engaged in addressing ethnic and religious intolerance through grassroots initiatives.

“Security agencies should explore the potential of new technological tools, including artificial intelligence tools and data analytics, to enhance the security and effectiveness of psychological operations and strategic communication.

“There is a need for national policy backed by legal frameworks in order to regulate the activities of digital media and social media to guard against fake news and hate speech.

“National Orientation Agency (NOA) should be adequately funded to discharge its statutory responsibilities of promoting national unity, harmony and national cohesion,’’ they added.

The course had participants from the military, intelligence community, security services, government, traditional institutions and the media.

The Chief of Defence Intelligence, CDI, Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Undiandeye, said that the course was to boost security experts’ understanding of the dynamics of psychological operations and strategic communication.

He said it was also to reconnect with communities and enlighten them on the importance of lawful conduct.

(NAN)