Governor Sani Bello who presided over the inauguration at the Government
House, Minna, said the essence of
the Committee is to have a robust system from the ward level.
“I believe that security controlled at the ward level will have a great
impact with regards to the general security of the State. I am glad that
this is happening now at a time we are faced with a lot of security
challenges”, he said.
He said the best place to combat crime is at the grassroots level,
adding that
with the Committee in place, things will improve security-wise.
While emphasizing the need for those to be recruited to have impeccable
character, Governor Sani Bello lamented the infiltration of bad eggs
into security outfits in the country thereby jeopardizing operations
against criminal elements.
He assured that those selected as Committee members are people of proven
integrity.
Speaking on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, IG Abubakar
Adamu, DIG Lawal Shehu of the Force Headquarters, Abuja said due to the
professionalism of the IGP he has been successful in implementing the
long awaited community policing initiative that has been on the pipeline
for a long time.
The DIG said that the scheme is a collaboration with the Police, other
security outfits and the community to fight crime, with a view bringing
it to the barest minimal.
He urged the Niger State government to take the Community Policing
Initiative as its baby and ensure that the aim of establishing the
scheme is achieved.
He then commended Governor Sani Bello for the prompt support he has
accorded the Police Force to fight crime in the State, describing him as
one of the best Governors supporting them.
He assured that prompt report will be provided regularly to the
government.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Usman who is the Chairman of
the Committee noted that Community Policing is in partnership with
communities in solving crime problems affecting them.
He pointed out that the State Community Policing Advisory Committee is
the highest regulatory body in the State while sub+committees are: State
Community Policing, Area Command Advisory, Local Government Community
Policing, and the Divisional Community Policing.
The Committee has HRH. Etsu Nupe and Chairman Niger State Council of
Traditional Rulers Alhaji ABUBAKAR Yahaya as Co-Chairman who also
assured of the committee’s support saying it is a timely intervention.