Former Assistant Director of the Department of State Services, DSS, Dennis Amachree has warned that food scarcity looms if the continuos attack of Boko Haram members on citizens is left unchecked.

He stated this at the twenty-nineth edition of the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria, CRAN, Annual Lecture and Awards themed “Managing Covid-19 Related Security Challenges” held at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

According to him, the advent of COVID-19 had heightened insecurity across the land with an escalation in kidnapping, terrorism, highway robbery, banditry, militancy and piracy which had become common place in the country.

In his subission said the Zabamari massacre in Borno State underlines the state of insecurity in the country which has further disillusioned the citizenry about the safety of their lives and property.

The director said Boko Haram sent out a propaganda, informing villagers that the lockdown was a ploy by government to stop them from following their faith.
“This narrative gave Boko Haram leverage to recruit more adherents from the poor and unemployed lot, that are readily available.

Amachree said the protracted conflict in the north-eastern part of the country continues to devastate the lives of civilians, resulting in a humanitarian crises affecting 7.7 million women, men and children.

He also noted that the separatist movement agitation against the Cameroonian government had also driven more than 300,000 refugees into Nigeria.
“The pandemic has exposed a range of new security challenges in the country.

Amachree said the resultant effect of the lockdown caused by the pandemic traumatised citizens which made it easy for them to come to a break point.
“Especially when the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unleashed mayhem on the youth population in the country which led to the EndSars movement.

The director, however said the lessons to note by the government was the need to change the parameters of profiling for criminals and the need for a people oriented policing.
“The need for a better trained anti-terrorist police unit like the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams can not be overemphasized,” he said.

Amachree advised Nigerians to avoid travelling for the festive periods especially with the prevailing increase of insecurity in the country.
“2020 is a unique year and if I have to give any security advise, I will recommend that you stay where you are this festive season.

The security consultant said that Boko Haram sent out a propaganda, informing villagers that the lockdown was a ploy by government to stop them from following their faith.

“This narrative gave Boko Haram leverage to recruit more adherents from the poor and unemployed lot, that are readily available.

“Nigeria has been classified as the third most terrorised country in the world, according to the World Terrorism Index, which is not good as the most populous black nation in the world.

He said this has overstretched the security and law enforcement agencies are overstretched in their bid to provide security to the citizenry.

Amachree said the protracted conflict in the North-Eastern part of the country continues to devastate the lives of civilians, resulting in a humanitarian crises affecting 7.7 million women, men and children.

Assistant Inspector General, AIG, Ahmed Illyasu in charge of Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan felicitated with CRAN for hosting an event that brought together security agencies across cadre to brainstorm to solving security issues posed by the pandemic.

This is a very serious and challenging issue because it is not only affecting Nigeria but it is affecting the whole world.

“This is the first type of gathering and it is unprecedented bringing together various security agencies to provide solutions to tackling insecurity resulting from the pandemic.

“It has caused a lot of global economic problem with resulting negative fallouts across the globe such as recession, poverty among others,” the police boss said.

Assuring the citizens of the country, AIG Ilyasu stressed that the police is well committed to protect lives and properties during the Yuletide in spite of the challenges bedeviling the country.

“Our officers and commissioners of police has been directed through Operation Special Order which each and every Area commander and Division Police Officers are mandated to perform specific duties.

“In view of this, we will continue to collaborate with CRAN in the spirit of community policing in finding solutions to problem,” he said.

Ilyasu urged everyone to play their role as a component of the security architecture of the country in ensuring that the security of lives and property is brought to the closest person in the community.

Lagos Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu emphasized the importance of crime reporters to the success of the operation of the police in the state.

Odumosu,who was represented at the occasion by ACP Jide Agboola also called for more partnership between the police and the crime reporters.

The police boss, while making his remark during the event ,which was well attended by top security practitioners said no doubt ,CRAN has played a very important role over the years.

The police have enjoyed tremendous support and robust relationship with the association .We appreciate your partnership The partnership is not taken for granted.”

The Lagos police commissioner also continued that ” We want to urge the association to keep the job going .You have done extremely well .”

On the award ,the Lagos police boss said “” We appreciate CRAN for the award . It is a recognition of the good things we have been doing and it will spur us to want to do better .”

The Lagos police boss also assured that “I can assure you that the partnership between the police and CRAN will continue.

Also, top security expert Dr Bone Efoziem commended the association for creating a forum to brainstorm on how to find solutions to security challenges in the country .

Dr Efoziem,who was the chairman of the 2020 edition of the annual award ceremony commended CRAN for choosing” an essential topic” for the event .

CRAN President, Sunday Odita expressed optimism in the abilities of top security authorities and officials in proffering solutions to the management of COVID-19 viz-a-viz security challenges in the country.

Odita said CRAN’s annually held event was the only private sector initiated event where top security chiefs in all the law enforcement agencies were brought under one roof to share ideas.

According to him, over the years, our lectures have focused on relevant issues that called for expert discussion and recommendations.

“Deliberations arising from such discussions have gone a long way in helping security communities in finding solutions to the perceived challenges,” he said.

He said CRAN’s 2020 lecture and awards theme which focuses on managing the pandemics related security challenges was delivered by a former Assistant Director, Department of State Services (DSS) Dennis Amachree is an icon in the security corridor whose pedigree as a former top brass in the nation’s secret service is second to none.

Odita said CRAN’s annually held event was also a day set aside to honour dozens of Nigerians who have contributed in their modest ways to keep our lives and properties safe and secure.
“Some of them in spite of their selfless commitment to a crime free society may never have had the opportunity of being celebrated by any group if not for the diligent effort of CRAN.
“

Among those to be honoured are gallant policemen and women who have distinguished themselves in character and service,” he said.

The president specially recognised an exceptional retired Commissioner of Police, CP Frank Odita, who urged journalists on crime beat to come together and form the body called CRAN today.
“CRAN is a group of journalists from various print, electronic and online media mandated by their organisations to cover crime, security, safety and allied events within the public and private security space.

“The Crime beat which covers activities in the Police, Immigration Service, Customs, Civil Defence Corp, NDLEA, NAPTIP, EFCC, DSS among other related agencies of government and private security sector is a branch of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ),” Odita said.

The president appreciated authorities of the public and private security outfits, banks, individuals and other stakeholders for supporting CRAN in different ways.
“We are exceptionally grateful to the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, Dr Bone Chinye, AIG Ahmed Ilyasu and his commissioner in charge of Lagos State Police Command, Hakeem Odumosu.
” We are grateful for everyone who has helped to ensure that today’s event is a success,” Odita said.

The annual event has over the years been a forum through which solutions are proferred to the myriad of security challenges in the country.

Distinguished Nigerians, who have done creditably well in the areas of security and other walks of life are also honoured during the annual event .

Some of the awardees in the ocassin chaired by Dr Bone Chinye Efoziem, CEO, Strict Guard Security are: Ahmed Ilyasu, Asst. Inspector General of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, Commissioner of Police, Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene, Doyen of Arts, Julian Wealth Igbudu, Superintendent of Police, Alhaji Hamisu Lawan, Anti-Narcotics Commander and SP Abdulfatia Abolarin Adigun, Crime Burster.
Others are Jimoh Abiola, Chief Superintendent Cadre, Dr Dolapo Ayokunle Fasawe, Trail Blazer in Public Health, Environmental Protection, Bolanle Basirat Ajao, Passionate Public Affairs Officer, CSP Oyinpreyebofa Frances, DPO Aswani among other awardees.