Jutha Gupah, Maiduguri
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has solicited the support of stakeholders in community policing to protect life and property in the Northeast region.
The two-day workshop is being organised for 300 policing stakeholders from Borno, Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi, Taraba and Yobe states.
Continuing with a workshop, yesterday (Thursday), at the International Conference Centre, Maiduguri, the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba disclosed that it was designed to deepen the implementation of the community policing approved by the Federal Government in 2020.
He said: “The adaptation of community policing was an internal security strategy to protect life and property across the northeast.”
Baba, represented by the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Zannah Ibrahim added that community policing is to address the complex and challenging dynamics of crimes in the country.
According to him, the implementation of community policing is to mitigate the challenges associated with emerging internal security realities.
He noted that the policing strategies are gradually taking root with people’s acceptance to secure their lives and property, as well as a well-founded principle of partnership between the police and citizens.
“The stakeholders after their training; are to serve in identifying security threats to build trust and synergy of fighting crimes in the various communities.
“Policing has been brought to the door steps of communities in improving the quality of life,” he said, stating that community policing also strengthens the bond between police institutions and the citizens by confronting the common enemies.
He warned that the enemies are existing and living in various communities to alter the values for security and peace.
He further reiterated that community policing has enhanced the capacity of the police to generate and utilize actionable human intelligence in stabilizing internal security.
On the empowerment of stakeholders to implement community policing, he said: “We’ll continue to empower you to refresh and broaden your knowledge with joint evaluation on crime prevention in communities.
“You are recruited under the Supernumerary Police provisions of the Nigeria Police Act,” adding that they are voluntarily to serve their communities by complementing the police in the safety of life and property.
Responding, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Usman Jidda Shuwa said community policing is an effective way to tackle insecurity to both life and property in the region.
He added that it could also reduce the incessant perpetration of criminal activities in most of the communities.
He, therefore, urged the police and other security agencies to be proactive, so as to ensure a hitch-free and credible 2023 general elections.
