As part of measures to combat insecurity in the northern part of the country, which is considered the epicentre of crime going by the increasing rates of insurgency, banditry, cattle rustling, and others, the Northern Governors’ Forum has appointed chiefs and traditional rulers as commanders to pilot the affairs of community policing scheme proposed to secure the North and Nigeria at large.
The steps to engage chiefs, traditional rulers and community heads and according to their constitutional roles of being the fourth tier and arm of government were revealed by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State, during one-day sensitisation programme on community policing held in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital. The governor noted that traditional rulers and chiefs are closest to the grassroots and better engaged with issues related to the masses.
He said, “I have always said that the traditional rulers are the fourth tier of government, their duties encompass all we do in our society. We have always been grateful to them because I receive calls daily from them on security issues, not just giving information but also curbing civil disturbances like we recently had in Ilesha Baruba.
“In that community, there was a civil disturbance earlier and the Emir single handedly calmed the situation and ensured that the community is safe. We deeply appreciate his efforts on what he did.
“In the last meeting of Northern Governors held in Kaduna, there was the idea that the roles of the traditional rulers should be amplified and embedded into the constitution. This means that we should give them constitutional roles in the society. That is an ongoing process, and I am a supporter of this initiative.”
The governor, who reiterated his support for community policing, which he described as long due to strengthen security of lives and priorities, said that, “Community policing is an idea that is long due. It helps to localise policing, bring security architecture closer to the grassroots, and get more robust buy-in of the people.
“It relies almost entirely on local intelligence and constant interactions with community folks to succeed. However, it is important to state that the success of community policing depends on all of us seeing it as our baby that must be nurtured to success”.
“I therefore urge every stakeholder to support the initiative. As an administration, we are wholeheartedly committed to community policing and will continue to mobilise public support for it.”
Speaking earlier, Aliu Attah, former Police Inspector-General, in his speech, observed that the existing policing system had been grossly criticized for poor performance because of its inability to meet some expectations, a development he attributed largely to inadequate manpower and funding.
“When a community policing system is introduced, most communities who have not felt the presence of government in their localities would at least know the government has come to them as they will have representation who will be concerned about their safety,” he said.
Meanwhile, Tafa Balogun, another Police Inspector-General, said community policing was not new as the initiative has been ongoing far back when he was in office and was climaxed with the eight-point agenda he established while in office, which was done in addition to the famous Operation Fire For Fire.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Bagega, Kwara State Commissioner of Police, described the programme as a watershed and a radical renewed approach in the implementation of community policing strategy as espoused by the Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu.
He added that criminal activities in the nation now require pragmatic approach and support of all and sundry to curtail, saying that the principle of community policing is the best option to ensure crime management and control, adding that with robust relationship between the police and other stakeholders in the state, crime management and control would be achieved
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