Insecurity: FG Pledges Partnership with Israel

The Federal Government Tuesday expressed its determination to enlist the services of the State of Israel in tackling security challenges facing the nation.

Speaking at the opening of a five-day advanced security training programme on homeland security held in Abuja, the Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, said the involvement of Israel was apt in view of its experience in counter-terrorism initiatives and manufacture of equipment capable of neutralising terrorist operations.

Moro promised that government was doing everything possible to provide a conducive environment for private sector initiatives by tackling the rising insecurity in the country.

The minister who spoke on the topic: “The Challenges of Homeland Security in Nigeria in an Era of Terrorism,” said government would endorse such initiatives aimed at building the capacity of the civil society to effectively respond to security threats.

He said the programme demonstrated the readiness of Nigerians to take the right steps in moving the nation forward.

“My hope is that this training will not end with just this batch. Nigeria is a country of over 160 million people and 36 states plus the FCT with countless organisations the need to entrench homeland security in our respective microcosmic communities which can be made to fit into the larger government security programme cannot over-emphasised.

“I therefore call on the organisers, Messrs Team Spirit and Israeli partner to assure us of continuity and sustainability”, he said noting that federal agencies were prepared to partner and benefit from the programme.

The minister urged banks, universities and other agencies to take advantage of the programme to ensure national security.

Speaking earlier, the duo of Galilee International Management Institute, (GIMI) Nahal, Israel and Teamspirit Consult Nigeria Limited (TSCL), organisers of the programme, noted that the two-phased programme (Abuja and Israel) was not an end in itself but an opportune platform “for a long term continuing capacity building on ‘deterring, detecting, delaying and defeating terrorism.”

Source: ThisDay