By Peoples’ Guide Reporters
Executive Chairman of Ikwo Local Government Area, Chief Barr. Sunday Basil Nwankwo has emphasised the need for effective grassroots intelligence for enhanced internal security in Nigeria. He made the emphasis when he alongside other stakeholders of the the Council played host to members of Course 47 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna State who were in the Local Government in the course of their research visit to the state.
Speaking on the theme of the research by the team, which is “Harnessing Grassroots Intelligence for Enhanced Internal Security,” Barr Nwankwo noted that some of the major tools for harnessing grassroots intelligence for enhanced internal security in Ikwo Local Government Area are both conventional and non-conventional. He elaborated on the conventional tools to include the conventional State security apparatus, the Army, the Police, the DSS, while the non-conventional tools are the vigilante groups and the traditional institutions.
He further emphasized that the right deployment of the tools play vital role in achieving enhanced internal security in Ikwo LGA.
The Chairman welcomed the team led by Commodore A. O. Oyebode and made them know that Ikwo LGA was created in 1976 with 20 Wards, and a large topography, heterogeneous and humongous population, and remains one of the oldest Local Government Areas in the country, which in spite of its size has not yet been partitioned into more than one LGA.
During an interactive session with the visiting officers on how best to tackle security challenges, other stakeholders in their contributions called for greater collaboration with stakeholders and security agencies in intelligent gathering, especially in rural areas.
Present at the event include the Vice Chairman of the Council, Hon. Mrs Chinasa Itumo, the Leader of Ikwo Legislative Council, Hon. Mrs Mabel Nweke and other Ward Councilors.
Also present were Deputy Principal Secretary to the Governor of the state, Mr Oke Oreke, the National Legal Adviser of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Okeagu Ogada and the President General of Ikwo Development Union, Elder Dr Sam Nte Egwu.
Past Chairmen of the Local Government, Chief Vitalis Ekechi Nwode, Elder Steve Orogwu, Chief DND Ogiji and Chief Joseph Orogwu were present. Development Center Coordinators, youth groups, traditional rulers, town union leaders and other stakeholders also attended the event.