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By Abubakar Umar
Security institutions across Nigeria have been urged to strengthen public relations and deepen community engagement to enhance intelligence gathering and improve the nation’s security architecture.
Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kwara State Council, Abdullateef Ahmed, made the call during a capacity-building seminar organised by the Kwara State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), themed “Key Attributes of Good Public Relations in Security Institutions.
Ahmed said building public trust encourages citizens to voluntarily provide useful information on potential security threats before they escalate, stressing that effective public relations are essential to preventive security efforts.
According to him, strategic public relations help dispel the perception that security agencies are only reactive by promoting intelligence-led policing through stronger collaboration with communities and other stakeholders.
He also underscored the importance of maintaining confidentiality when handling information supplied by members of the public, noting that people are more willing to report suspicious activities when they are confident that their identities and information will be protected.
The NUJ chairman further identified community engagement as a vital component of modern security operations, explaining that security agencies must work closely with residents to detect emerging threats, including the spread of extremist ideologies and other security risks, before they develop into major challenges.
He added that intelligence-driven operations depend largely on public cooperation, emphasising that mutual trust between security agencies and citizens enables proactive responses to security concerns rather than reactive interventions.
The Kwara State NUJ Chairman added that the success of any security institution depends on its ability to provide accurate and timely information, reduce speculation, and build public confidence, noting that, “Guns and boots may win battles, but trust wins the war.
