Townhall engagement to catalyze grassroots understanding of security dynamics-Imaan
The Minister of State for PoliceAffairs Hajia Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim has pointed out that townhall engagements across the country would catalyze grassroots understanding of security dynamics and foster community-specific solutions.
She stated this during the RenewedHope Police Agenda: Citizens Town Hall Engagement on Strengthening CommunityPolicing in Nigeria with a theme; Community Policing: Building A Safer NigeriaTogether held at the Alhaji Aliyu Akwe Doma Banquet Hall Nasarawa StateGovernment House, Lafia.
The Minister stated that security is inherently local, and people’s approach must reflect an appreciation for eachcommunity’s distinct characteristics, challenges, and strengths.
In her words, “Security is local, andwe must acknowledge and embrace the unique dynamics of each community in ourpursuit of a safer nation. Today’s town hall is a reflection of the significantshift in our approach to policing. As you may be aware, Section 14(2)(b) of theConstitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 puts the security andwelfare of our people as the government’s priority”.
Imaan added that Mr. President BolaAhmed Tinubu has placed security at the centre of the administration’s eight(8) priorities, and they have commenced the implementation of the Renewed HopePolice Agenda, which will ensure that our police force is strategicallypositioned to fulfill its mandate.
According to her “At the heart of this Renewed Hope Police Agenda is the implementation of a community policingstrategy that is designed based on local peculiarities and considerations, withthe full participation of members of the various communities and stakeholderblocks, to ensure inclusivity and full ownership.
The Minister of State opined that NasarawaState is unique in terms of security.
The state is home to a very diverse andrapidly growing community.
She noted that Nasarawa has substantial mineraldeposits that attract both local and international attention.
Its proximity tothe Federal Capital Territory (FCT) brings significant socio-economicopportunities but also increases the security burden,she stressed.
Imaan reiterated that the RenewedHope Police Agenda for Nasarawa State, therefore, seeks to build on localefforts while supporting the existing collaborations that have made Nasarawa ashining example of effective security measures within the North Central Region.
She outlined the six foundationalpillars that serve as strategic frameworks carefully designed to redefine andstrengthen the Nigeria Police Force such as Technical and OperationalExcellence: Infrastructure Advancement: WelfareEnhancement: Policy Framework Development: Policy Framework Development and Re-branding,Strategic Communication, and Public Trust Management.
The National Chairman of the PoliceCommunity Relations Committee (PCRC), Alhaji Mogaji Ibraheem Olaniyanrepresented by the National Vice Chairman, Don Kenneth Otuonunyo stated thatpolice are the main focus in policing and security revolves around them notingthat there is a wide gap between Nigeria Police Force and the society makingthe policing difficult in the country.
He added that the community must beready to collaborate with the police by giving necessary information that willenhance their performance in the country. Police work 24 hours every daywithout a break and they need support and encouragement to succeed, Mogajistressed.
The Governor of Nasarawastate, Abdullahi A. Sule said thatthe state is willing to collaborate with the Ministry of Police Affairs and NigeriaPolice Force to enhance policing in Nigeria and urged the private sector andother relevant stakeholders to support the Renewed Hope Police Agenda to achieveits objectives.
In his welcome remarks, the Inspector General of Police IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun represented by the DeputyInspector General, (Intelligence), DIG Dasuki Galadachi revealed that the InspectorGeneral of Police in conjunction with the United Nations Development Programme(UNDP) has approved the Crime Data Analysis and Mapping in all the localgovernment in the country.
