By Hassan Zaggi
The Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, has disclosed that his ministry remains committed to emplace sustainable policies and programs that will reform, re-equip, re-train, and motivate officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force to ensure their professionalism, operational capability and adherence to the rule of law.
He stated this during the Security Summit and the launch of the Command-and-Control Center with the theme “Repositioning for the Future” in Edo, Benin City.
He, however, noted that the National Public Security Communication System (NPSCS) would enhance the initiative of the Edo State Government Command and Control Centre.
Represented by the Director (General Services) in the Ministry of Police Affairs, Mrs. Edemanya Brayila Ibilola, the Minister said that the National Public Security Project System (NPSCS), which has a Command and Control Centre, toll-free call lines, enhanced communications arrangements among others have been concession and progress is being made in reviving the project by the Ministry.
“What we are witnessing this day is the rebirth of a new security architecture that would inspire international best practices and herald smart policing order, where happenings will be monitored real-time, from the Command-and-Control Centre.
“It is indeed the dawn of a new era for policing in Edo State and the entire nation.
“It is, therefore, instructive to mention that the renewed hope administration of President Asiwaju Tinubu is mindful of the cardinal role of security, hence it occupies an enviable position in the 8 points agenda of this administration.”
Gaidam reiterated that security as the fulcrum that spins other human endeavors requires the highest order of inclusiveness to promote a people-centric security paradigm capable of ensuring peace, the safety of lives and property, promoting harmonious coexistence and providing an enabling environment for economic growth, development, and shared prosperity.
On his part, the Chairman of the occasion, who is also the Chairman, Police Service Commission (PSC), Dr. Solomom Arase, emphasized the need for what he described as intelligence-led and community policing through the strategical deployment of intelligence with a focus lens on addressing cultism and kidnapping in Edo state.
“The substantial vibrant students domicile in our state becomes particularly susceptible to challenges of cultism given their impressionable nature.
“This number does not take into consideration the body of secondary school children who were recruited in droves into various cult groups. It becomes imperative to address the issue strategically to counteract the menace of cultism in the state,” the PSC Chairman noted.
Earlier, the Executive Governor of Edo state, Godwin Obaseki, stated that since the introduction of data to map crime incidents in the state coupled with support by the federal security agencies, the state was able to achieve 41.7% reduction of crimes between 2021-2023.
He commended the support of the Inspector General of Police for allowing the state to renovate police institutions in the state and use the facilities to train members of the Edo state volunteers services adding that those trained were properly profiled and documented.
