The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has applauded the federal government’s move to kick start the community policing initiative with a seed funding of N13.3billion.
In a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke, BMO said that the approval was in line with efforts to proffer solutions to the country’s security challenges.
“We see the decision as timely at a period the country is battling insecurity from many fronts, and which has recently seen state governors making a case for some sort of security bailout fund.
“It is gratifying that the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) deemed it fit to be part of an ad-hoc committee on Security and Policing set up by the National Economic Council (NEC), having realised that States also have a major role to play in tackling insecurity in the land.
“We also see a clear case of a strong political will by the Buhari administration in tackling security challenges by responding positively to demands by State Governors for an augmentation of funds they had been spending in stemming the tide of insecurity in their domains.
“The N13.3billion approved by President Muhammadu Buhari for the take-off of Community Policing is a good starting point that is almost certain to change the face of policing in Nigeria at a time some geo-political zones are setting up regional security networks,” the group added.
BMO said it was convinced that the initiative would go a long way in ensuring that local communities take ownership of their own security, and expressed the hope that the Police authorities would speed up the process.
“We know that the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu recently told Senate President Ahmad Lawan that he had an August timeline for completing the processes for the commencement of community policing across Nigeria.
“And now that a take-off fund has been approved for the initiative, we invite Nigerians to acknowledge how the President is keen on overhauling the security architecture as part of efforts to tackle insecurity in the country.
“We have no doubt that community policing will foster closer ties between the Police and local communities, especially as locals are expected to be recruited to form the core of operatives in their respective domains.
The group also reassured Nigerians that President Buhari would continue to take necessary steps to ensure that the nation’s security challenges are well managed, proactive and efficient.