Minister of state for Police Affairs harps on need for stakeholders’ full participation to strengthen community policing,
By: Sam Obinna Ibe
Umuahia.
The Hon Minister of State for Police Affairs,Hajia Imaan Suleiman Ibrahim has harped for the need for all stakeholders to join hands together in order to strengthen community policing in Nigeria.
The Honourable Minister of State for Police Affairs stated this Thursday evening at Umuahia, capital of Abia during ” Citizens Town Hall Engagement on Strengthening Community Policing in Nigeria held at International Conference Centre,ICC , Ogurube lay out, Umuahia.
Hajia Imaan Suleiman Ibrahim noted that security is everybody’s business that
President Bola Tinubu was committed to strengthening the operational capability of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), through the implementation of his Renewed Hope Police Agenda.
According to her ” the town hall with the theme “Community Policing: Building a Safer Nigeria Together” was a significant shift in government’s approach to policing.
She further urged the stakeholders to form a local security intervention that is peculiar to each community to ensure full participation of members.
The Honourable Minister for Police Affairs who revealed that the implementation of a community policing strategy is designed based on local peculiarities and considerations, with the full participation of members of the various communities and stakeholder blocks.
According to her, the aim is to ensure inclusivity and full ownership.
Ibrahim who commended Abia for renowned ingenuity for commerce and industry, making the state a focal point for trade across the Southeast and beyond.
The visiting minister of State for Police Affairs however pointed out that this
economic vibrancy also presents specific security challenges, particularly in the areas of business-related crimes.
“Additionally, the state’s strategic location along key transit routes adds another layer of complexity.
“It necessitates robust measures to address issues such as road safety, smuggling, and the protection of critical infrastructure.
“Despite these challenges, Abia State has consistently shown resilience, and we are here to help strengthen it further.”
“We have a clear appreciation that security begins at home.
“It is local, and we must acknowledge and embrace the unique dynamics of each community in our pursuit of a safer nation.”
Making his remark during the occasion, Abia State Governor Dr Alex Otti said that his administration has invested so much in security, knowing fully well that any other investment would amount to nothing, if residents were not safe.
Gov Otti commended the Nigeria Police and other security agencies for their collaborations with the government in a bid to ensure a safer Abia.
As for the Abia State Commissioner of Police, CP Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, thanked the minister for the visit, reassured the command’s commitment in fighting crime and criminality in the state.
He urged the stakeholders to collaborate with the police in order to ensure effective community policing.
The town hall meeting was attended by political leaders, government functionaries, traditional and community leaders, youth leaders, members of the civil society organisations, security experts and others.
Earlier in the day , the minister also visited the Police Clinic, the Police Children School and the command’s headquarters
Speaking after inspection of Police clinic and Police Children school on the state of facilities,she said that there is always room for improvement and efforts would be made to put her observations in the way of assisting them.
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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Imaan Hajia Suleiman Ibrahim CP Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, Commissioner of Police Abia State Command
