Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization has described the creation of state police as a strategic measure to address the prevailing security challenges in Nigeria .
Ohanaeze disclosed this in a statement signed and made available to Journalists by it Secretary General Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro on Friday.
According to Isiguzoro, the creation of the state police will create job for the unemployed youths thereby addressing the massive unemployment crisis in the country.
He, however, commended the Federal Government and State Governors for taking a courageous step in the right direction believing that their decision reflects a realisation that security remains a local matter, and community policing, an indispensable ingredient needed to combat insecurity, especially in the Southeast region.
The statement reads “Ohanaeze Ndigbo acknowledges that the implementation of the state police aligns with one of the key recommendations of the 2014 Constitutional conference reports, which the previous administration under President Buhari failed to act upon due to apprehensions.
“We commend President Tinubu for indirectly steering the implementation of this vital recommendation. This momentous decision brings an end to the era of fear concerning the deployment of Igbo and Christian personnel to Boko Haram-controlled areas. In the past, Igbo youth perceived police recruitment exercises as potential death sentences, fearing they would be posted to Northern regions grappling with Boko Haram terrorists and banditry. However, with the introduction of state police and community policing, a new ray of hope emerges.
“The creation of state police and the embrace of community policing presents remarkable avenues for job creation, specifically addressing the massive youth unemployment crisis. The deployment of personnel within their respective localities ensures that every employed individual serves their community with unwavering dedication. Consequently, with the President’s recent pronouncement on increased police recruitment, Igbo youths will wholeheartedly seize this opportunity, unburdened by the fear of deployment to the North.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo, insists that they firmly believes that the establishment of state police is the long-awaited answer to our prayers, a crucial step towards resolving the pervasive security challenges plaguing our nation. We express our unwavering commitment to supporting and collaborating with the government and relevant stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of this landmark decision.
“In conclusion, we stand united in our resolve to bring safety and security to our people and our beloved nation. Ohanaeze Ndigbo reaffirms its dedication to the well-being of Ndigbo and the development of a secure and prosperous Nigeria for all. Together, we will overcome these security challenges and forge a brighter future.“
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