Security can’t be achieved with force alone — IG

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has stated that security can no longer be achieved through force alone but through trust, transparency and shared responsibility.

According to a statement signed by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Lagos State chapter’s Public Relations Officer, Oguchukwu Okeke, on Saturday, the IGP stated this in his keynote address on Thursday at the grand finale of Lagos PR Fest 2026, held at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

The theme of this year’s conference was, “Security, Nation Building and Public Trust: Fostering Collective Responsibility through Strategic Public Relations.”

Disu, who was represented by an Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Simeon Akpanudom, of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Annex Alagbon Close, Ikoyi, Lagos, described strategic public relations as the bedrock of effective nation-building and sustainable national security.

He stressed that modern security challenges require collaboration among government institutions, the media, communication professionals and citizens.

According to the IG, strategic public relations replaces one-way institutional communication with transparent, two-way engagement that builds public confidence and transforms citizens from passive observers into active partners in safeguarding national security.

He identified several priorities necessary for strengthening public trust, including rebuilding institutional credibility through evidence-based communication; promoting transparency and accountability across public institutions; strengthening grassroots engagement for intelligence gathering; expanding youth participation in security conversations; promoting unified national messaging that transcends ethnic and religious divisions; and deepening collaboration among government institutions, security agencies and the media during crises.

Disu further commended the Lagos State chapter of NIPR for convening a timely national conversation capable of strengthening trust between institutions and the public

Meanwhile, declaring the conference open, the Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of NIPR, Dr Samuel Ayetutu, said the Institute deliberately chose the theme to reposition communication as a central pillar of Nigeria’s security architecture.

According to him, discussions around national security have traditionally focused on military capabilities, equipment and operations while overlooking the vital role of communication, public perception and trust.

“Security is often discussed in terms of arms, personnel and operations. Rarely is it discussed in terms of communication, perception and trust. Yet trust is the foundation upon which every security effort ultimately stands or falls,” he noted.

Ayetutu emphasised that public relations was not merely supportive of security operations but an essential operational tool that builds confidence between institutions and citizens.

He noted that intelligence gathering depends on citizens who trust security agencies enough to provide information, while compliance with security directives depends largely on credible, transparent and strategic communication.

“Public relations is not a luxury in the fight against insecurity. It is a necessity. Where communication fails, even the best-resourced security efforts struggle to gain ground. Where communication is strategic and honest, trust follows; and cooperation follows trust,” he added.

The discussants stressed the importance of rebuilding public confidence in state institutions through openness, consistency and accountability, while highlighting the role of strategic communication in countering misinformation, strengthening citizen participation and promoting responsible media reporting.

They also advocated stronger partnerships among security agencies, communication professionals, civil society, academia and the private sector to foster community-based intelligence, national cohesion and sustainable peace.