By Adekola Afolabi

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The Commandant-General and founder, Community Vigilance Corps (CVC), Nigeria, Akinwolere Taiwo, has described intelligence gathering and information sharing as most effective ways of tackling security challenges in the society.

Taiwo who said all hands must be on deck to complement efforts of the conventional security agencies in addressing problems of insecurity in the country, particularly called on  traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders and the locals to always expose criminal activities in their domains.

The CVC Commandant-General spoke at the Passing-Out Parade of 60 professionally trained officers of Community Vigilance Corps from Advance Institute of Professional Security and Intelligence Studies, Nigeria, held at the CVC Parade Ground, Ijoka Akure, the Ondo State capital.

The colourful event also witnessed induction of 1st Quarter 2022 Fellows of the Institute, where the Commandant-General and Adeoye Monday, a Chief Superintendent, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were inducted.

Taiwo who congratulated the officers for their successful Passing Out Parade, equally charged them to work with the state government, security agencies and other relevant stakeholders in the society to collectively secure and protect  lives and properties of the people.

At the occasion, the Commandant-General particularly commended the Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, for his spirited efforts leading to the establishment of Amotekun Corps to address security challenges and protect  lives and properties of the people in the South-West region.

The security expert revealed that the CVC officers have been professionally trained in specialised security aspects including Counter Terrorism Intelligence, Security Communication Skills and Management, Operational and Combat Tactics, and Community Intelligence Information Gathering Strategies.

Taiwo said the Passing-Out Parade marked the end of series of programmes designed to increase the knowledge and fitness of the officers.

“A large part of the training programme is designed to increase and boost security awareness and service operation of the trainees, this is moreso at this time when the need to harness all efforts towards increasing the security of the community, local government, state and the country as a whole.

“To be frank, the whole world – local communities, states or nations now face the issue of terrorism. This programme which aims at broadening the knowledge of trainees is geared towards combating the menace of terrorism. Simply put, counter terrorism is combating terrorism, that is, fighting the menace of terrorism”, he added.

Earlier, the National Director of Training and Academics, Advance Institute of Professional Security and Intelligence Studies, Nigeria, Dr. Akinwumi Gideon, said the Institute researches and develops specialised and customized programmes to meet up with the current trend of crimes, adding as criminals were developing new ways of committing crime, security personnel, individuals, groups and communities must update their knowledge to be able to tackle the challenge.

Also, the Guest Lecturer and Commandant, NSCDC, Olanrewaju Odeyemi, who explained that since the  terrorism started in the world over 645 terrorist groups have emerged, however, suggested conflict management through dialogue as a way of addressing increasing wave of terrorism in the country.