The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC Anambra State Command, has called for increased cooperation, collaboration and coordination among all security agencies as the surest panacea to mitigate internal security challenges in the state.
The NSCDC Anambra State Commandant,
Maku Olatunde, made this known on Monday, 10th August 2026, while delivering a lecture at a one – day Security Summit of the Nigeria Forest Security Services, NFSS, held at the Federal Secretariat, Awka.
Speaking on the topic “Strengthening Inter-Agency Cooperation, Collaboration and Coordination for Effective Security in Anambra State”, the State Commandant, represented by the Command’s spokesperson, Superintendent of Corps, Okadigbo Edwin, emphasized that the complex and multi-dimensional nature of security threats in Nigeria and Anambra State in particular demands that agencies work together.
In his presentation, the State Commandant defined the relevance of inter-agency cooperation, collaboration and coordination within the context of internal security, emphasizing that no single agency, no matter how well equipped, can tackle insecurity alone.
“Cooperation is working together. Collaboration is joint planning and execution. Coordination is harmonizing all efforts to avoid duplication. Without the three, we cannot win the war against crimes and criminality,” he stated.
Highlighting Nigeria’s current security landscape, Commandant Olatunde underscored the pivotal role of robust inter-agency partnerships through shared intelligence, pooled resources, and collective expertise among the nation’s security agencies.
He listed kidnapping, terrorism, cultism, armed robbery, banditry, illegal mining, and other violent crimes as threats that no individual agency can curb solely.
“Criminals do not carry ID cards of which agency they fall under. A kidnapper can operate in the forest in the morning and in the city in the evening. If all security agencies are not collaborating, then tackling insecurity will be far from us while the criminal wins,” he added.
The State Commandant further identified major barriers militating against effective collaboration to include ego and turf issues, poor communication equipment, lack of trust, and inadequate funding for joint operations.
To address these challenges, he proposed actionable strategies to fortify these essential partnerships. He recommended the establishment of a Joint Operations Command Center in Awka with representatives of all agencies on a 24/7 basis, the standardization of communication equipment for seamless information sharing, and regular joint training, drills and operations to build synergy and trust. He also called for monthly joint security summits across the three Anambra senatorial zones and the adoption of a community security model.
The NSCDC Anambra State helmsman highlighted the critical role of the NSCDC as the lead agency in the protection of Critical National, State and Local Government Assets and Infrastructure, and disclosed that under his leadership, the Command has been driving collaboration through regular joint patrols with the Military, Police, DSS and other paramilitary agencies, weekly intelligence fusion meetings, joint tactical and media training, and partnership with community stakeholders.
He stated that “Inter-agency cooperation, collaboration and coordination is not just an option. It is THE ONLY OPTION if we want Anambra to remain the Light of the Nation.”
Commandant Maku also stressed that citizens have a critical role to play in securing the state. According to him, security cannot be left solely to government agencies. Communities must remain alert and partner with lawful authorities by providing timely and credible information to prevent crime. Traditional rulers, religious leaders, community associations, and civil society organizations must lead efforts to entrench a culture of vigilance, peace, and shared responsibility.
In his words: “A society where citizens are indifferent to suspicious activities creates room for criminal elements to thrive.”
He pledged the Corps’ full commitment to work with sister security agencies and all other security stakeholders to ensure lasting peace in the state. The summit had in attendance, representative of heads of security agencies- Police, DSS, Army , NDLEA, Immigration Service other critical stakeholders, and the youth.
