FG inaugurates 15-man committee on internal security, community policing

CONCERNED by the rising cases of banditry, kidnapping and general insecurity in the country, the Federal Government has inaugurated a 15-man inter-agency committee on strengthening internal security framework and community policing in Nigeria.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, who inaugurated the committee on Tuesday in Abuja, tasked the members to contribute their quota in tackling the security challenges confronting the nation in recent time.

He recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had tasked the Senior Executive Course 40, 2018 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, to undertake a study on the rising insecurity in the country.

He said the outcome of that study was presented to Government for consideration, adding that the report noted some factors militating against a comprehensive internal security framework and community policing in Nigeria, especially when compared to other countries.

Mustapha noted that some of the problems identified by the Kuru report were poor policy linkages, multiplicity and poor implementation of policies, centralized control of the Nigeria Police Force, weak monitoring and Evaluation Mechanisms.

Other problems highlighted include the poor application of technology and Innovation, absence of integrated database to aid internal security management, poor budgetary allocation to the security sector as well as lack of confidence and trust in the country’s security agencies by the Nigerian public.

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He said: “The theme of the study was “Strengthening Policing in Nigeria: Policing Options and Strategies.”

“The scope of the study focused on ways of invigorating the internal security system and it covered the period from 1999 to 2018. This period was chosen primarily because the country witnessed an unprecedented upsurge in crime and criminality.

“Accordingly, the Course participants analysed various works of notable international and domestic scholars relating to the theme.

“Additionally, they embarked on study tours of some States within the country, some selected African countries and a few others outside the African continent.

He said considering these challenges the report proposed some far-reaching recommendations, including implementation strategies aimed at reinvigorating the internal security framework and community policing in Nigeria.

According to him, given the size of the report and the array of the recommendations therein, it became expedient to study it in order to properly advise Government on the recommendations and implementation strategies put forward, hence the constitution of the committee.

Membership of the committee includes Dr (Mrs) Amina Shamaki, Permanent Secretary, Special Service Office (SSO) to serve as Chairman, Mrs Beatrice Jeddy-Agba, Federal Ministry of Justice, member, and Mrs Odunbanjo Adebisi, Ministry of Interior, member.

Other members are; Mr Sanusi Galadima, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA); Brig Gen JO Ochai, Nigerian Army; Commodore, JN Mamman, Nigerian Navy; Air Cdre AH Bakari, Nigerian Air Force; AIG David O.Folawiyo, Nigeria Police Force and Jimat Bakare, Department of State Security.

Others include; CP Olayinka Balogun, Police Service Commission; Dr E.0. Adeoye, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps; Dr Joseph Ochogwu (IPCR) Technical Expert; Professor Sani Abubakar Lugga (Tech Expert); Dr Nasirudeen Usman (NIPSS) Tech Expert and Tukur Yahaya (SSO) Secretary.

The Committee, which is expected to complete the assignment and submits its report within two (2) months, has the following Terms of Reference:

“To study and analyse the findings, recommendations and implementation strategies of the Presidential Parley Report by the Senior Executive Course 40, 2018 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos.

“The committee is also to come up with policy statement for the consideration of Mr President,” SGF said.

He implored members of the committee to eschew personal interest and see themselves as having the golden opportunity to contribute to the reversal of the trend that has mischaracterised Nigeria from the repute of a peaceful, united and prosperous country.

“I hope that you will come up with new, innovative and pragmatic ways of resolving our internal security challenges and enthrone a robust culture of community policing,” he said.

On agitation of state police, Mustapha noted that in the last one decade, there have been strong agitations for government to introduce State police in the country, saying this similarly dominated discussions at the National Conference convened in 2014 by the last administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.

He, however, said the current administration of President Buhari would not play to the gallery but choose to address the issues from the fundamental standpoint, adding some agitations were more reactionary than factual.

He said: “You are equally, aware that this administration does not play to the gallery and thus, does not act based on mere calls with all shades of opinion.

“This administration, therefore, prefers to address issues from the fundamental standpoint. The recommendations of the report you are going to study, is a result of painstaking research, study and comparative analysis.

“The report was based on broader consensus and that is why Government deems it necessary to prioritize the study of its recommendations for implementation,” he said.

Chairperson of the committee, Shamaki, assured SGF that they would approach the assignment with all the seriousness it requires and would work assiduously to justify the confidence reposed on them.