By GRACE AUDU, Abuja –
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, on Monday inaugurated the FCT State Community Policing Advisory Committee (SCPAC), charging the members to be guided by the principles of natural justice and the laws of Nigeria.
Malam Bello, who explained that the inauguration of the SCPAC was part of government’s efforts aimed at reducing crime rate in the FCT, also enjoined the members to work towards winning the trust of the various communities within the Territory.
Inaugurating the 17-member committee headed by the FCT Commissioner of Police, Bala Ciroma, the Minister urged members of the committee to be non-partisan in the discharge of their duties.
He also reminded them that the concept of community policing was anchored on a premise of trust between the people and security agents – a trust which, he said, must not fall short if the objective of the policy is to be achieved.
The Minister said, “Once there is a trust deficit in any guise or form, the workability of this policy becomes highly diminished and we would have lost a great opportunity in improving the security profile of the Territory”.
Speaking on the selection of special constabulary for community policing, the Minister added, “it is necessary that during the selection of those that will serve as members of the special constables, at whatever level this selection is being done, it must be fair, just and equitable”.
Malam Bello said those selected should be provided with basic training required for the job. He also advocated for a robust feedback and monitoring mechanism on the performance of those appointed to assigned tasks within the communities.
Chief Press Secretary in the FCTA, Anthony Ogunleye, who was at the inauguration ceremony, quoted Malam Bello to have also called for the confidentiality of investigations and protection of informants.
Giving an overview of the functions of SCPAC, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (Community Policing), Mr Bala Senchi, said the committee was the highest advisory body on community policy in a state.
According to him, the implementation of the policy will be cascaded down to the grassroots through the State Community Policing Committee, Area Command Community Policing Advisory Committee, Local Government Community Policing Advisory Committee, the Divisional Community Policing Committee and the Special Constabulary.
In his address at the occasion, the Inspector- General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, represented by the Deputy Inspector-General Police (DIG) in-charge of Operations, Alhaji Abdulmajid Ali, said Community Policing would bring back communalism in the communities which he said had been lacking for a long time.
He also commended the FCT Administration for taking the laudable step of embracing community policing as a method of checking crime in the FCT.
In his acceptance speech on behalf of other committee members, the FCT Police Commissioner, Bala Ciroma, who is also the Co-Chairman of the Committee, said the Committee members accepted the responsibility and promised they will deliver on the mandate assigned to them.
Members of the FCT State Community Policing Advisory Committee are:
i. CP Bala Ciroma – Chairman
ii. HRH Adamu Baba Yunusa- Onah of Abaji
iii. Senator Phillip T. Aduda- Senator representing the FCT
iv. Rev. Dr Samson Jonah- Chairman, FCT Christian Association of Nigeria
v. Dr Tajudeen M.B Adigun- Chairman, FCT League of Imams Initiative
vi. The Commander, Army HQ Garrison, Abuja
vii. The Commander, Guards Brigade, Abuja
viii. The Commander, Naval Unit, Abuja
ix. The Commander, 053 NAF Camp, Abuja
x. State Director, Department of State Service, Abuja
xi. The Comptroller, Nigeria Correctional Services
xii. The Commandant, NDLEA, FCT Command
xiii. The Commandant, NSCDC, FCT Command
xiv. The Comptroller, Nigeria Immigration Services, Abuja
xv. The Sector Commander, FRSC, FCT Command
xvi. The Director Security Services Department, FCTA
xvii. Chief Bolaji Adigun – Chairman, Police Community Relations Committee.
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