ZAINAB JUNAID
Experts at the National Association Of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) 2025 Conference and Awards, have emphasised the importance of inter-agency collaboration in enhancing national security.
They posited that intelligence sharing and coordinated efforts among agencies will effectively address national security issues and foster a safer environment.
The event themed: “Securing and Safeguarding Nigeria’s Economic Resources: A Call to Serve”, was held at Oriental Hotel in Lagos on Wednesday, 22 October 2025.
It brought together representatives from security agencies including: Nigeria Armed Forces, Director of Police Affairs, AIG, FRSC, ICPC, EFCC, Enugu Forest, Civil Defense, Nigeria Correctional Service Center, Amotekun, SON, and Private Security Institutions.
In his keynote address, the minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, who was represented by the Director of Public Affairs, Mr Bolaji Kazeem identified security as the foundation of all human endeavours, highlighting the crucial role of inclusiveness, people- centric approaches and collective efforts in ensuring Peace, Safety and Prosperity.
The minister pinpointed the complex security challenges facing Nigeria, including policing over 200 million people across a vast landmark, limited resources, inadequate access to technology, ungoverned spaces, lack of harmonised data, rising crimes such as kidnapping, terrorism, among others.
To address this according to him, requires innovative solutions, strategic partnerships and effective resource allocation.
While declaring the conference open, the minister called on stakeholders, the public, and the media to support the Nigeria Police Force in its efforts to enhance security through collective investments in technology, logistics, welfare, and equipment upgrades; and a key proposal to procure high-resolution drone surveillance for Police Commands across the country.
“The Ministry of Police Affairs remains committed to repositioning the NPF through data-driven services, inter-agency synergy, and international cooperation. Together, we can build a safer, stronger Nigeria,” he added.
Air Vice Marshall Bashir Rimi Mamman delivering a keynote address at the event.
Speaking, representative of Chief of Defence Staff, Air Vice Marshall Bashir Rimi Mamman, also stressed the importance of collective responsibilities in safeguarding the nation and her resources, highlighting the crucial role various Stakeholders including government agencies, security forces and the public play in boosting national security.
He advised social media users to protect the truth, report responsibly and ensure that their narratives promote unity and hope rather than division and hate.
“For everyone working in the media, please note that you play a vital role in this effort.The stories you tell and the fact you verify help shaped national security. When you report truly and properly, you help turn information into actionable intelligence. We must work together, the people, the media and the security agencies, to reduce those who spread falsehood and unrest,” he said. “The safety of our nation depends on our collective efforts and the integrity of our communication. Beyond military action, we must focus more on the non-kinetic side of national security, which accounts for nearly 70% of the world. This includes good governance, infrastructure, power, communication and social development.
“We must also work with our neighbours: Benin, Niger Republic, Chad and Cameroon, to tackle cross-border crimes, arms smuggling and the insurgency that threaten our peace. Protecting our borders and resources is a shared responsibility”.
Assistant Inspector General in charge of Zone 2 Command, Lagos State, AIG Adegoke Fayoade while delivering his speech at the NAOSNP 2025 Conference and Awards at Oriental Hotel, Lagos.
Also, Assistant Inspector General in charge of Zone 2 Command, Lagos State, AIG Adegoke Fayoade who represented the Inspector General of Police, asserted that the quest to secure and safeguard economic resources lies at the heart of every nation’s struggle.
In his words, “the concept of safeguarding economic resources demand multidimensional strategy. It means safeguarding the integrity of our fiscal system, ensuring that all revenues are not syphoned through illicit financial flows, protecting our cultural supply chain from sabotage, preventing illegal mining and smuggling, and ensuring that every kobo collected in taxes is accounted for. Within this framework, the Nigerian police force occupies a strategic and indispensable position, as it has evolved beyond traditional crime fighting into a knowledge-driven, intelligence-led, and digitally-equipped force that anticipates and disrupts economic crime before they emerge”.
“This requires synergy with other state agencies, such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practises and Other Offences Commission, ICPC, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), and the Armed Forces”.
He said securing the nation and its people goes beyond just immediate threats as it entails ensuring a stable and prosperous future for citizens.
His words, “I want us to take this with us, to serve and protect the nation mean to secure and sustain, to defend not just the people but their very wealth upon which their future depends”.
Caption: Commander Adetunji Adeleye, Corp Commandant Ondo State Security Network Amotekun; Assistant Inspector General in of Zone 2 Command, Lagos, AIG Adegoke Fayoade; Keshinro Adedotun Sunday, Commandant Lagos State Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corp; Akinbanjo Olasoji, Commander Enugu State Forex Guard; DCE Ayo Oluwole representative of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC); Lagos Commissioner Mr. Chukwurah Alexander, representative of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission; Dr. Cynthia Gregg, Managing Director Safety Signatures Ltd; Mr Chris Agbede, representing Construction companies; Corp Commander Kehinde Hamzat, Lagos State Sector Commandant, Federal Road Safety Corp Nigeria Representing Corp Marshal Mallam Shehu Muhammed.
Similarly, a panel session moderated by Eric Elezuo which lasted for twenty minutes, focused on the importance of collaborative efforts in alleviating economic threats and boosting efficiency.
The panelists also urged the public to support all the security agencies in protecting the nation’s assets and infrastructures.
While fielding questions after the event, the president of NAOSNP, Comrade Samson Oki commended the heads of securities for championing collaboration as a strategic course to combat national threat.
Comrade Oki’s emphasis on the shared purpose of security agencies underscored the need for a unified approach to address national security concerns.
His words, “The agencies are working for one purpose- the security of life and property, no matter the area of concentration, an agency cannot do it alone except by collaborating with each other. So I commend all the agencies for harping on collaboration as a key driver of achieving their mandate.
“Also for those involved in illegal activities, they should desist from it. There are better ways to earn a living. Rather than engaging in fraud, Cybercrime or other forms of criminality, they should embrace legitimate business. When you get yourself involved in all these illicit activities, you are an enemy of the State and the State will come for you. So thats my message to unpatriotic citizens.
“Let there be peace, irrespective of your business, once you are consistent in it, you will succeed and make good money. It should not be by fraud, illegal things or rituals. There are legitimate ways of making money and Nigeria will support you. Nigeria has the market, just ensure you engage in a legitimate business,” he stated.
Student of Gulf Flower Highschool, Iyana-Oworo Gbagada, Lagos in a group picture with the MD Safety Signature Ltd and Representative of Chief of Defence Staff, Air Vice Marshall Bashir Rimi…at the occasion.
The conference, which featured presentation of awards of excellence to outstanding personalities, played a crucial role in fostering dialogue and cooperation among all security agencies and also demonstrated the commitment to enhancing cyber security.
