The nefarious activities of criminal elements are being strengthened not only by informants within security formations but equally those within the society; hence the need to engage traditional rulers, religious, community, political and youth leaders in the process of finding a solution to the menace.
Dr. Ahmed Audi, Commandant-General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), stated this at the stakeholders’ summit on the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure at the NAF Conference Centre in Abuja, on Tuesday.
Audi noted that the rise in crimes constituted a threat to critical national assets and infrastructure, citing Kaduna, Zamfara, Katsina, Borno and other states of the North as examples.
He also emphasised on the need for security agencies to re-strategise for better protection of the national assets from the assault by criminal elements.
READ ALSO: One die, as unknown gunmen attack Kwara community — NSCDC
The CG, who expressed concern over a statement by the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, that the Federal Government spends N60 billion annually on the repair and maintenance of vandalised oil pipelines across the country, emphasised on the need to re-strategise for better protection of national assets from the assault of criminal elements.
The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, said that the government was investing heavily to provide basic infrastructure in the country.
He said schools and educational institutions were classified as critical national assets and infrastructure to focus more effort on for a safer and more secured teaching and learning environment.
“The Federal Government, various states and local governments are currently massively investing in the development and construction of various infrastructure that would support employment generation, poverty reduction and the comfort and wellbeing of the Nigerian people”