The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, UNICAL, Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong, has said that drastic measures should be taken to address the heightened insecurity in Nigeria.
He described insecurity as a key national challenge that demands drastic and sustained measures if Nigeria is to achieve meaningful development.
Offiong spoke during the 2nd International Hybrid Conference 2026, organised by the Faculty of Social Sciences, with the theme: “Insecurity and National Development: Is the Nigerian State at a crossroad?”
He said issues of insecurity cannot be treated with kid gloves, stressing that government, institutions, and citizens must adopt bold strategies that address both the immediate threats and the root causes.
He was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research, Linkages and Collaborations, Prof. Anthony Eneji.
Offiong said national development cannot thrive where lives and property are not secure.
He said that the Department of Criminology and Security Studies can complement the state security role, disclosing that UNICAL has positioned itself as a hub for research, training, and policy advice on contemporary security issues.
According to him, the Department is producing graduates equipped with modern knowledge in crime prevention, intelligence analysis, and conflict management.
Prof. Offiong added that UNICAL is open to collaboration with security agencies at all levels to bridge the gap between academia and practice.
By working closely with the military, police, and other security institutions, he noted, UNICAL can help translate academic findings into practical tools for intelligence gathering, threat assessment, and community engagement, ensuring that solutions are grounded in evidence and tailored to Nigeria’s realities.
Chairman of the Conference and Cross River State Commissioner of Police, CP Rashid Afegbua, said to effectively tackle security challenges, there is need for proactive and technology-driven policing strategies.
He recommended the establishment of a dedicated state cybercrime and digital evidence unit to investigate digital offences and support intelligence-led operations.
The Police boss said security agencies should also prioritise regular training of officers on digital evidence collection, preservation, and analysis to improve investigations and ensure the successful prosecution of offenders.
He added that building stronger liaison and operational collaboration with sister agencies will enhance intelligence sharing and enable coordinated responses to security threats.
CP Afegbua stressed that security is too important to be left to security agencies alone, noting that while other law enforcement agencies play critical roles, sustainable security ultimately requires collective responsibility from government, institutions, and citizens.
