Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Solomon Arase, on Monday called for
adequate funding of the Nigeria Police to ensure operational efficiency.
Arase made the call at National Security Conference on: Community
Partnership Approach to Internal Security and Crime Management organised
by Police and Sun newspapers, in Abuja.
He said it was only through adequate funding that the huge logistic demand
of the police can be met.
Arase noted that modern policing was a cost-intensive venture of which the
benefits far outweigh the value of budgetary investment.
“Through effective funding, the welfare of police personnel will be met
and the challenge of corruption that has eroded professionalism and public
respect for police will be addressed,” he said.
He called for the resuscitation and passage of the Bill on Police Trust
Fund pending before the National Assembly to give effect to public-police
partnership.
The bill seeks to tax corporate entities to complement the Federal
Government in funding the police.
Arase maintained that if passed, the funding challenges of the police
would have been addressed on a sustainable basis.
He said the security challenges in the country and inadequate manpower
would be best addressed through citizens-driven policing model.
“This model will address the manpower deficiency challenge in the Nigeria
Police as every citizen plays the role of police officer,” he said.
In a key note address, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar,
advised President Muhammadu Buhari to prosecute all those found guilty of
corruption.
“All found culpable of corruption should not only forfeit their assets but
should go to jail. We are 100 per cent in support of your fight against
corruption in the country,’’ he said.
He called on the police and other security agencies to join in the crusade
against corruption.
Abubakar said the police needed to be repositioned for the 21st-century
and to have their welfare reviewed.
According to him, the traditional rulers had played vital roles in
maintaining security in their various communities.
He urged all Nigerians to close ranks with the police to ensure adequate
security in the country.
Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Mr Mike Okiro, said Nigerians
were yearning for solutions to the security challenges in the country.
He said the conference should come up with suggestions to address the
challenges.
Present at the conference were traditional rulers, members of civil
society organisations and security experts.
The high point of the occasion was the unveiling of A Guide to Personal
Security, a handbook by President Buhari.