A security expert and former 2019 governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party in Kwara State, Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Ajia, has identified community policing as a lasting solution to insurgency and insecurity in parts of Nigeria.
Ajia, who recently joined the All Progressives Congress, made the remarks in Ilorin during his formal defection at his political ward in Magaji Ngeri, Ilorin West Local Government Area of the state.
He described community policing as one of the most practical and efficient strategies for addressing insecurity nationwide.
According to him, embracing community policing would enable security agencies to gather credible intelligence from residents at the grassroots level.
He noted that such information would assist authorities in identifying and neutralizing individuals threatening national peace and development.
The APC chieftain urged Nigerians to treat bandits as enemies of the state, emphasizing that national interest and citizens’ welfare should take precedence over political and religious considerations. He stressed that the country’s security challenges go beyond military force alone and require the active participation of all citizens.
Ajia also pointed to recent developments as evidence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s resolve to confront insecurity, particularly the appointment of former Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, as Minister of Defence.
He described the appointment as a signal that insecurity must not be politicized.
“One of the major reasons that anchored our moving to APC is to support the government.
“Every patriotic Nigerian and every reasonable person today will have to come and support the government in fighting the insecurity.
“It is a reality, we have serious insecurity in this country. Kwara is having its own share.
“But some of us are saying the better approach to this is for all of us to come together and consider these elements as enemies of the state.
“With our background of security, knowledge of community policing some of us know my thesis for Doctor of Philosophy is Community Policing and National Security.
“So, some of the research we have carried out outside the practical experience I had while I was in the Police, we have reaffirmed and said the only way to tackle insecurity in Nigeria is for us to adopt the concept of community policing, and that is why we are now ready to work with the government of the day to create the awareness with the communities across Kwara State and Nigeria so that we can all see these elements as enemies of the state and not the enemies of any political parties.
“So, this is what led to our movement from the previous political party where we have parted with them on a very good note. I said to everybody, I had a wonderful time with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“But for me, it is now time for the sake of national interest, national well being and our people. Today, we are now in the APC,” he said.
Ajia underscored the importance of unity in overcoming insecurity, warning against politicizing matters of national safety. He cautioned that adopting an opposition stance on critical security concerns could hinder collective progress.
He further described Nigeria as a shared national responsibility that demands cooperation and commitment from all stakeholders.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, Ajia confirmed that he had completed his formal registration with the APC, describing his defection as a symbolic step to support President Tinubu’s re-election bid and the development programmes of Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
He maintained that several reforms introduced by the federal government were beginning to produce positive results, characterizing them as necessary measures to stabilize the economy and prevent national decline.
Ajia added that he and his supporters would mobilize across the state to ensure President Tinubu’s re-election, expressing confidence that continued support for the administration would advance the country’s progress.
