Stakeholders in the North East have advocated for Improved policy reforms in the Nigeria Defence and security Sector that would tackle security challenges in the country.
They made the call at a one day workshop on reforms in the Nigeria Defence and Security sector organised by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands on Thursday in Bauchi.
Dr Chris Kwaja, of the Center of Peace and security Services Modibbo Adama University Yola emphasizes the need to improve and strengthen the accountability and transparency in the defense sector.
“Strengthening mechanism for accountability and transparency operational and financial management in line with the principle of Democratic control of armed forces.
“Respect for human rights in line with provision of the Nigerian constitutions, international human rights and Humanitarian rights.
“Strengthening the mechanism for effective civil military relationship to encourage harmony in the Sector.
Dr Kwaja also stressed the need for gender mainstreaming in the defense and security Sector would go a long way in improving the reforms.
Also Speaking, Mr Tijjani Mohammed explained the importance of internal security to the security architecture of the country.
He said the security agencies need oversight functions that would tackle the misappropriation in the security architecture of the country.
Mohammed also emphasizes on security agencies engagement with Civil Society Organisations as well built a confidence of the clients otherwise the society.
In his remark,Executive Director, CISLAC Mr Auwal Rafsanjani, Said Nigeria’s defense and security sector must always be seen as carrying out its mandate in an objective manner, reform initiatives in the sector must remain sacrosanct
“Particularly at a time like this when Nigeria’s battles with an evolving epidemic of multi-dimensional security threats such as the fight against insurgency whose agitation is allegedly based on religious ideology against western education, banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and other armed opposition groups.
The ED Represented by the CISLAC Head of Communication, Abubakar Jimoh stressed the need for reform in the defense and security sector cannot be over emphasized,
“Particularly with respect to financial management, gender inclusion and operational disparities as these have very significant impact on the integrity and effectiveness of the sectors,” Rafsanjani Said.
Also Speaking, the Senior Programme Officer CISLAC, Bertha Eloho Ogbimi said that the aim of the workshop is to reveal the challenges security agencies face in the area of financial management, inclusive gender recruitment and disparities in the area of carrying out their operations,
She said at this end CISLAC wants to create an awareness on lack of transparency and accountability in the defense and security sector.
Our Correspondent reports that the stakeholders were drawn from Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Media and academia from Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi, Taraba Borno and Yobe States.