The Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), has issued a crucial call to action to participants of Senior Course 47 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji. During their courtesy visit to the Government House in Port Harcourt, Ibas stressed the importance of their study tour focusing on “Harnessing Grassroots Intelligence for Enhanced Internal Security,” particularly in the context of the prevalent security challenges facing the nation. He emphasized the need for their reports to transcend theoretical analyses and provide practical, actionable strategies that can be implemented to mitigate these pressing security concerns. Ibas, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Worika, highlighted the significance of gathering credible intelligence from the grassroots level as a cornerstone of effective internal security operations.
The Sole Administrator underscored the detrimental impact of insecurity on various facets of societal well-being, including economic productivity, government revenue generation, and investment attractiveness. He pointed out the unfortunate reality that even the rural populace, often the victims of insecurity, can inadvertently contribute to the problem. Therefore, he urged the participants to prioritize gathering intelligence from this crucial segment of society. He stressed that without effective feedback mechanisms from the grassroots level, internal security efforts would remain elusive and ineffective. Ibas’s charge reflects the administration’s commitment to proactive measures in addressing security challenges and underscores the importance of evidence-based solutions derived from thorough research and on-the-ground assessments.
The study tour undertaken by Senior Course 47, as elucidated by the Team Leader and Director of Logistics at AFCSC Jaji, Commodore S. O. Abdularaheen, represents a crucial component of the college’s annual research focused on national security concerns within the Nigerian environment. This year’s theme, “Harnessing Grassroots Intelligence for Enhanced Internal Security,” reflects a critical focus on understanding and leveraging local knowledge and insights to bolster security operations. The team’s visit to Rivers State forms part of a broader study tour encompassing selected states across Nigeria, indicating a comprehensive approach to understanding the multifaceted nature of security challenges and the potential of grassroots intelligence in addressing them.
Commodore Abdularaheen highlighted the structured approach of the study tour, with nine groups deployed across various states to gather data and insights related to the theme. He explained that the team’s findings from their interactions with security agencies and stakeholders, as well as their independent research, would be compiled into a comprehensive research paper to be submitted to the college. Crucially, the recommendations derived from this research are intended to be adopted by relevant government agencies and organizations for implementation, ensuring that the study tour translates into tangible improvements in security strategies and operations. This emphasis on actionable outcomes further underlines the commitment to bridging the gap between academic research and practical application in the field of security.
The visit of Senior Course 47 to Rivers State and the focus on grassroots intelligence highlight the state’s commitment to collaborating with security institutions to develop sustainable solutions to insecurity. By engaging with the AFCSC and supporting their research efforts, the state government demonstrates its proactive approach to tackling security challenges and its recognition of the importance of collaborative efforts in achieving lasting improvements. The emphasis on harnessing grassroots intelligence reflects a shift towards more inclusive and community-driven security strategies, recognizing the crucial role of local communities in identifying and mitigating threats.
The Sole Administrator’s charge to the participants and the broader context of the study tour underscore the growing recognition of the importance of grassroots intelligence in enhancing internal security. This approach signifies a move away from solely top-down security strategies towards a more nuanced and participatory approach, engaging local communities and leveraging their knowledge and insights to create more effective and sustainable security solutions. The expectation that the study tour’s findings will lead to practical, actionable recommendations for government agencies further emphasizes the commitment to translating research into tangible improvements in security operations and, ultimately, contributing to a safer and more prosperous Rivers State and nation as a whole. The collaborative effort between the Rivers State Government and the AFCSC represents a promising step towards strengthening internal security through evidence-based strategies rooted in community engagement and local knowledge.
