Deliberately Integrate PWDs In Reform Of Nigeria’s Security Architecture, JKBDRSI Tells Tinubu

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ABUJA: The President Bola Tinubu-led federal government has been advised to deliberately integrate Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) into Nigeria’s evolving security, technology and diplomatic architecture.

Joshua K B Disabilities Rights and Support Initiatives (JKBDRSI), a group advocating for the Rights of PWDs, Wednesday, insisted that the expertise and innovative capacities of PWDs “remain critical national assets that should be deployed in intelligence, cybersecurity, policy development, research, emergency management and other strategic sectors to build a stronger and more secure nation.”

The Group’s position is coming on the heels of Tinubu’s approval for four additional Army formations across the country.

The disabilities advocacy group described the decision as “a bold, rational and timely response to Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.”

It further appealed to the Federal Government to direct the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and other relevant agencies to establish specialised training programmes in Artificial Intelligence, robotics, advanced manufacturing and defence technologies for Nigerians, particularly Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), saying such an initiative would harness their intellectual capacity for indigenous military industrialisation and national development.

In a statement signed by its Executive Secretary, Joshua Kingsley B., the organisation said the expansion of the Nigerian Army’s operational formations would strengthen the country’s internal security architecture and improve rapid response to terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes threatening national stability.

It, however, urged the Federal Government to ensure that both existing and newly created military formations are adequately equipped with state-of-the-art weapons, surveillance technologies, intelligence assets, communication infrastructure and modern armaments to enhance operational effectiveness.

JKBDRSI also called for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s security framework, advocating a technology-driven and intelligence-led approach anchored on Artificial Intelligence (AI), drones, satellite surveillance, cyber intelligence and advanced data analytics. It further urged the government to strengthen the nation’s whistleblower framework by rewarding citizens who provide credible intelligence while guaranteeing the protection of their identities.

The group equally urged the Federal Government to rethink Nigeria’s diplomatic and national security doctrines by moving away from what it described as largely passive and reactionary engagements toward proactive, strategic and preventive measures capable of safeguarding the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and citizens against both conventional and emerging security threats.