ENUGU — During the South East security summit organized yesterday by the Nigerian Police, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo advocates for indigenous security outfit not community policing.
Chief Nnia Nwodo, President-General of Ohanaeze said their decision was because of the peoples’ lack of confidence in the police. He also frowned at the posting of heads of security Agencies and advised police authorities to use indigenous mechanism in addressing security challenges in the country.
Nwodo further called on the police to dismantle the numerous checkpoints turned tollgates in the state. This has inflicted untold hardship to the people.
But the South East Governors unanimously adopted the Federal Government community policing initiative in tackling security challenges in the zone. The Chairman, South East governors’ forum, David Umahi of Abia state made this known in his address stating that their decision was informed by the IG’s explanation to them during a private meeting of the modalities of community policing which is quite similar with that of the various grassroots’ security outfits already in existence within the zone.
He further stated that each state is to ensure that community policing committee made up of traditional rulers, religious leaders and other stakeholders be established in each community. The committee will be in-charge of recruitment of personnel and monitor security developments in their various communities”.
The Governors will also share intelligence and information on security, organize quarterly meeting to review the zones’ security situation and the workings of the initiative.
In his speech, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu stated that the summit intends to engender public trust, consent and partnership which are the bedrock of successful policing.
To achieve this objective, he said requires the adoption of citizens’ participation for the purposes of identifying and tackling security threats. Hence the indigenes will be parts and parcel of the community policing.
On the incessant kidnapping and killings of clergymen, the Archbishop of the Province of Enugu, Anglican Communion, Emmanuel Chukwuma on behalf of the clergymen in the zone urges the federal government to double her efforts to reduce kidnapping and farmers/herdsmen clashes.
He described as totally unacceptable herdsmen being allowed to move around with AK 47 and called on the Federal Government to declare them as terrorist group in view of their atrocities.
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi thanked the IGP for the summit and pledged the support of the State to the Federal Government efforts in repositioning security nationwide.
