Security expert Sammy Obinuga has emphasized that timely information sharing and community participation remain the “cheapest and most effective weapon” in the fight against insecurity in Nigeria.
Speaking during TRADE FM’S BREAKFAST BUSINESS BRIEFING, Obinuga noted that communities often observe unusual movements, strangers, and suspicious activities but fail to report them to relevant security agencies. According to him, such early intelligence could prevent crimes before they happen.He stressed that citizens have a critical role to play in national security through vigilance and cooperation, not by taking the law into their own hands.
“Citizens should not attempt to arrest criminals or carry arms beyond their capacity. Their role is intelligence gathering and reporting to the police and other security agencies,” he said.
Obinuga called for stronger trust between security agencies and communities, adding that structured community security forums would improve response time and coordination in tackling crime.
He also advocated for the involvement of trained volunteers in local security discussions, warning that such groups must operate within legal boundaries and under proper supervision.
On youth involvement, he urged government and stakeholders to provide economic alternatives to crime, particularly for young people vulnerable to cybercrime, fraud, and other illegal activities.
He further highlighted the growing threat of cybercrime, kidnapping, banditry, and civil unrest, noting that these issues continue to weaken investor confidence and disrupt business activities across the country.
Obinuga also called for improved intelligence sharing among security agencies, better use of data and technology, and “security mapping” to identify crime patterns in different regions.
According to him, crime patterns vary across states, making localized security strategies essential for effective policing.
He recommended the strengthening of community policing structures, better equipment for security agencies, and reforms in the justice system to ensure swift prosecution of offenders.
“When criminals know that justice is certain and swift, crime will reduce significantly,” he added. Obinuga concluded that insecurity cannot be solved by force alone, but through a combination of good governance, economic reforms, strong institutions, and active citizen participation
