DSS DG: Communities must be first line of defence against insecurity

Adeola Ajayi, the director-general (DG) of the Department of State Services (DSS), has called on communities across Nigeria to take an active role in defending themselves against armed groups.

Speaking in Abuja at the maiden annual lecture of the Alumni Association of the National Institute for Security Studies (AANISS), Ajayi noted the importance of community involvement in tackling insecurity, adding that security agencies alone cannot protect every area.

The event, themed ‘Mobilising stakeholders to curb insecurity in Nigeria: A Practical approach,‘ attracted key security experts and policymakers.

Ajayi referenced past incidents where communities successfully repelled attacks by insurgents, particularly the Azare community in Bauchi state, where residents fought off Boko Haram terrorists years ago.

“They killed some members of the community, but the community members killed all of them. The last guy, Khalid, climbed onto a tree and was firing,” he recalled.

“The community people killed him too. Since that day, there has been no terrorist attack on that community.”

He also cited Tafa Balewa, another Bauchi community, where residents “stood their ground against invaders, seized their weapons, and successfully defended their territory”.

“The practical approach to curbing insecurity is to get everyone involved. The military and police cannot be everywhere. Communities must be the first line of defence,” Ajayi added.

He urged community leaders and influential individuals to support local security efforts, saying that proactive measures at the grassroots level would help curb criminal activities.

Our culture is communal; we do things together, festivals and ceremonies together. So why can’t we fight some miscreants, some charlatans among us together?” he asked.

The community should say, you cannot come here. This is what Tafa Balewa has done. If you go to that community to attack them, you would be sorry for yourself.

“And this is the way we have to do it. We allow some level of firmament for the community, and they can serve as the first line of defence.

“Some of us who have influence, the elites in society, discuss with the communities, come to us, get some sort of approval and guides, and then we can stop these criminals.”