Interior minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has urged security agencies to intensify research on evolving security threats to be steps ahead of criminals.

The minister gave the charge on Thursday in Abuja during the launch of 12 security books written by the commandant general of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Audi.

He said by intensifying research, security agencies will be able to provide timely training to personnel to address the evolving security threats.

“The bad guys should be running to catch up with the pace of the state, and we can only achieve this in the era of intellectualism,” he said.

He pledged to ensure that all agencies under the ministry establish functional libraries to foster educational growth and efficient service delivery.

Mr Tunji-Ojo said the ministry will also set up the Paramilitary Brain Trust, a team of professionals to provide technical advisory services. He said the team will consist of intellectuals, retired senior officers and professors who will research depending on peculiar security situations.

Mr Tunji-Ojo said apart from passing written examinations, the promotion of officers and men of paramilitary agencies will subsequently also be based on some evaluation parameters.

“You don’t need to be a CG to be celebrated. In your private corner, give and do your best and know that one day, that little effort of yours might be what is needed to turn this country around. Ability to cast problems and preorder solutions is what leadership is about,” he said.

Mr Audi said Nigeria’s history from independence had affected its security landscape, leading to emerging security threats such as terrorism and cybercrimes.

“Alongside organised trans-border crimes which have over time intertwined and confounded the nation’s security situation,” he added. 

(NAN)