The Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN) has urged the Federal Government to adopt the security models of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Brazil to combat the country’s worsening insecurity and protect Nigerians from terrorists, bandits and other criminals.
To achieve this, the corps said the Federal Government should recognise that national security is an expansive ecosystem requiring specialised auxiliary agencies, rather than placing the burden entirely on a few kinetic, heavily armed formations.
The corps also canvassed the need for the government to look beyond conventional methods and embrace strategic, non-kinetic partnerships in tackling the worsening insecurity to reduce tension across the country.
Addressing the media on Friday in Abuja on the state of the nation, the National Commandant of the corps, Dr Dickson Ameh Akoh, said Nigeria’s contemporary security threats can be more effectively addressed by fully integrating the economic and administrative doctrine of the division of labour into its defence framework.
According to him, “Forcing overstretched conventional security agencies to stray from their primary mandates to cover every soft target dilutes operational focus, fuels jurisdictional friction and leaves vital spaces vulnerable.
He explained that by embracing a multi-tiered approach that utilises auxiliary structures for non-kinetic interventions, the nation can optimise grassroots surveillance while allowing the military and police to concentrate fully on high-level combat and specialised policing.
Akoh observed that by deliberately engaging the country’s “vast youth population in structured, intelligence-driven civil defence, we can effectively secure our vulnerable spaces and restore lasting peace to Nigeria.”
He commended the bold steps taken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu towards restructuring the nation’s security architecture, describing the move as a timely and rational initiative with immense potential to restore long-term law and order.
Akoh accordingly appealed to Tinubu to leverage the Peace Corps of Nigeria’s extensive presence and robust numerical strength of over 187,000 personnel by formally accommodating the organisation within the ongoing security restructuring.
“Our teeming members are uniquely positioned to optimise the nation’s security architecture through crucial, non-kinetic interventions.
“Acting as a grassroots information network, our personnel are equipped to gather and transmit localised safety data directly to conventional security agencies and the Office of the National Security Adviser, ensuring swift, pre-emptive action against emerging threats before they escalate.
“Furthermore, our deployment model provides immediate relief to overstretched conventional forces by absorbing neighbourhood watch, school safety and soft-target management responsibilities, thereby allowing the military and police to focus entirely on core combat and high-level policing.
“Simultaneously, the corps serves as a vital youth orientation pipeline that profiles, disciplines and prepares young Nigerians for structured civic service or future enlistment into military and paramilitary formations.
“Through these complementary strategies, the Peace Corps of Nigeria effectively transforms youth vulnerability into a proactive, nationwide asset for sustainable peace and national security.
“As we earnestly await the final concurrence and passage of this vital establishment legislation by the Senate, we maintain absolute faith in our vision.
“The legislative path has been protracted, but victory belongs to the tenacious. We make a passionate appeal to the leadership of the 10th Senate to facilitate the final passage of this bill. Its enactment by the National Assembly and subsequent assent by Mr President would be the most cherished 28th anniversary gift to millions of dedicated, patriotic young Nigerians,” the commandant added.
