Stakeholders Launch Abuja 774 Security Initiative, Call for Community-Led Fight Against Insecurity

Prominent Nigerians from government, security agencies, traditional institutions, civil society, academia, the private sector and development organisations have adopted the Abuja 774 Local Government Security Partnership Initiative, a nationwide grassroots security framework aimed at strengthening efforts to combat terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes across Nigeria.
The resolution was reached at the National Citizens’ Stakeholders’ Engagement on Countering Terrorism and Insecurity, held on Friday, July 31, 2026, at the Ladi Kwali Hall of Abuja Continental Hotel.

The summit, themed “Supporting Our Troops, Strengthening National Unity and Advancing Peace and Development,” was organised by the Project 774 Network, a non-governmental organisation, and convened by the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the 16th Emir of Kano, His Highness Muhammadu Sanusi II.

The event attracted representatives of the Federal and State Governments, security and intelligence agencies, traditional and religious institutions, civil society organisations, women and youth groups, academia, professional bodies, development partners, the media and other stakeholders.

Participants commended the sacrifices, courage and patriotism of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other security agencies in confronting the country’s security challenges.

They, however, noted that despite significant progress recorded by security forces, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, violent extremism and organised crime continue to threaten Nigeria’s peace, unity and economic development.

According to the stakeholders, military operations alone cannot permanently eliminate insecurity without active citizen participation, community ownership and stronger collaboration between government and local communities.

They observed that insecurity is often local in origin and impact, stressing that sustainable solutions must be driven from the grassroots through effective intelligence gathering, community resilience and stronger partnerships between citizens and security institutions.

Abuja 774 Security Initiative a major outcome of the summit was the adoption of the Abuja 774 Local Government Security Partnership Initiative, designed to strengthen security structures across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.

Under the initiative, stakeholders urged every local government council to recognise security as a key development priority by making lawful budgetary provisions to support security operations through the procurement of patrol vehicles, motorcycles, communication gadgets, surveillance equipment and emergency response logistics.

They also recommended improved welfare support for security personnel operating in local government areas in accordance with existing laws and administrative guidelines.

The stakeholders further resolved that every local government should establish functional Community Policing Committees involving security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, women, youth and other community stakeholders.

They also proposed the transparent recruitment, training and supervision of at least 100 carefully vetted community vigilante personnel in each local government area to support intelligence gathering, neighbourhood surveillance, protection of public infrastructure and early warning systems under the supervision of recognised security agencies.

Participants declared that no local government area should become a safe haven for terrorists, bandits, kidnappers or other criminal elements, calling for coordinated intelligence sharing and joint security operations across all 774 councils.

Calls to Governments and Key Institutions
The stakeholders urged state governments to establish effective oversight mechanisms to monitor local government security preparedness, evaluate security initiatives and provide policy guidance, technical support and capacity building where necessary.

They also called on the Federal Government to sustain intelligence-led security operations, improve inter-agency collaboration and continue investing in security technology, personnel and operational capacity.

The National Assembly was urged to provide legislative backing for security reforms and ensure adequate funding for security institutions.

Traditional rulers, religious leaders and community organisations were encouraged to intensify peacebuilding, civic responsibility and early warning initiatives, while the private sector and development partners were asked to expand support for youth empowerment, community resilience and security innovation.

The media was also challenged to promote responsible journalism by combating misinformation, hate speech and extremist propaganda.

Security Is Everyone’s Responsibility
The summit concluded that Nigeria’s security should no longer be viewed as the exclusive responsibility of the Federal Government.

Rather, participants resolved that state governments should provide strategic leadership, local governments should become active security partners, communities should serve as the first line of intelligence gathering, while traditional and religious institutions, corporate organisations and citizens must all contribute to national security.

They expressed confidence that greater collaboration among government, security agencies and citizens would significantly reduce terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crimes across the country.

Project 774 Network Explains Vision
Speaking with journalists after the summit, the National Secretary of Project 774 Network, retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Usaini Gumel, said the organisation was established to promote shared national responsibility in addressing Nigeria’s developmental and security challenges.

According to him, the initiative is built on the belief that nation-building is not the responsibility of government alone but requires active participation by every citizen.

He said the organisation seeks to promote integrity, patriotism, accountability, civic responsibility and ethical leadership while encouraging citizens to contribute meaningfully to national peace, security and development.

Gumel described Project 774 Network as a non-partisan civic movement committed to building a peaceful, united and prosperous Nigeria through responsible leadership, strong institutions and active citizenship.

He maintained that sustainable national transformation begins with personal responsibility, stressing that the future of Nigeria will be shaped not only by public office holders but also by teachers, parents,entrepreneurs, workers, community leaders and ordinary citizens who choose integrity, discipline and service to the nation.

BY LADAN MUHAMMAD NASIDI