Metro
Why We Hold Townhall Engagements – Sulaiman-Ibrahim
The Minister of State for Police Affairs, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim, has said that townhall engagements across the country would catalyze grassroots understanding of security dynamics and foster community-specific solutions.
She stated this according to a statement by Deputy Director, Information & Public Relations, Mr. Bolaji Kazeem, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), during the Renewed Hope Police Agenda: Citizens Town Hall Engagement on Strengthening Community Policing in Nigeria with the theme; Community Policing: Building A Safer Nigeria Together, held at the Alhaji Aliyu Akwe Doma Banquet Hall Nasarawa State Government House, Lafia.
The Minister stated that security is inherently local, and people’s approach must reflect an appreciation for each community’s distinct characteristics, challenges and strengths.
In her words, “Security is local, and we must acknowledge and embrace the unique dynamics of each community in ourpursuit of a safer nation. Today’s town hall is a reflection of the significant shift in our approach to policing. As you may be aware, Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 puts the security and welfare of our people as the government’s priority”.
Imaan added that Mr. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has placed security at the centre of the administration’s eight(8) priorities, and they have commenced the implementation of the Renewed Hope Police Agenda, which will ensure that our police force is strategically positioned to fulfill its mandate.
According to her, “At the heart of this Renewed Hope Police Agenda is the implementation of a community policing strategy that is designed based on local peculiarities and considerations, withthe full participation of members of the various communities and stakeholder blocks, to ensure inclusivity and full ownership. The Minister of State opined that NasarawaState is unique in terms of security. The state is home to a very diverse andrapidly growing community. She noted that Nasarawa has substantial mineral deposits that attract both local and international attention. Its proximity tothe Federal Capital Territory (FCT) brings significant socio-economicopportunities but also increases the security burden. She stressed. Imaan reiterated that the Renewed Hope Police Agenda for Nasarawa State, therefore, seeks to build on local efforts while supporting the existing collaborations that have made Nasarawa a shining example of effective security measures within the North Central Region.She outlined the six foundational pillars that serve as strategic frameworks carefully designed to redefine andstrengthen the Nigeria Police Force such as Technical and Operational Excellence: Infrastructure Advancement: Welfare Enhancement: Policy Framework Development: Policy Framework Development and Re-branding, Strategic Communication, and Public Trust Management. The National Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Alhaji Mogaji Ibraheem Olaniyan represented by the National Vice Chairman, Don Kenneth Otuonunyo, stated that police are the main focus in policing, and security revolves around them, noting that there is a wide gap between Nigeria Police Force and the society, making policing difficult in the country.
He added that the community must be ready to collaborate with the police by giving necessary information that will enhance their performance. Police work 24 hours every day without break, and they need support and encouragement to succeed.
In his remarks, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule, said that the state is willing to collaborate with the Ministry of Police Affairs and NigeriaPolice Force to enhance policing in Nigeria and urged the private sector andother relevant stakeholders to support the Renewed Hope Police Agenda to achieveits objectives.
In his welcome remarks, the Inspector General of Police IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, represented by the Deputy Inspector General, (Intelligence), DIG Dasuki Galadachi, revealed that the Inspector General of Police in conjunction with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has approved the Crime Data Analysis and Mapping in all the local government in the country.
At least seven people were reportedly killed on Saturday after two suspected suicide bombers attacked some wedding guests at Marrarraban Gwoza in Borno state.
Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, reported that many of the victims were said to be returning from a wedding ceremony when the first suicide bomber detonated her explosive near a motor park.
Makama said the suicide bomber was identified as a lady in her early 20s, adding that the injured ones were taken to the hospital in Gwoza.
Also, another bomber, disguised as a mourner, detonated an explosive in Gwoza LGA as residents were preparing for the burial of those killed in the first attack.
Makama said one person reportedly died and 16 others were injured during the attack.
The publication added that Yusuf Lawal, Borno commissioner of police, confirmed the incident.
Meanwhile, the military has imposed a curfew in Gwoza LGA to enable them to secure the town from any further threat.
In March 2024, two people were injured after an improvised explosive device (IED), strapped to a suspected suicide bomber, detonated near a mosque in Biu LGA of Borno state.
By Eric Elezuo
One person has been confirmed dead and two others injured in early morning road accident on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, involving a Mini Truck (MUS 489 XS) and a Toyota Camry (KRD 470 JD).
According to a statement issued on behalf of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), by the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, the accident, which was blamed on overspeeding, occurred near the UNILAG waterfront towards the Iyana-Oworonsoki area.
The statement quoted the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa as confirming the death of one person while urging motorists to refrain from overspeeding.
He expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased and urged more discipline on the road by both motorists and commuters.
The Ongoing Operation Lake Sanity II continues to yield results as three more Boko Haram terrorists have surrendered to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) troops in Cameroon and Nigeria, according to a statement by Chief Military Public Information Officer, Lt. Col Abubakar Abdullahi, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP).
In Cameroon’s Sector 1, two terrorist fighters identified as Rawagana Mustapha, 18, and Mustapha Ali, 20 surrendered to the troops at Wulgo.
Similarly, Sector 3 in Nigeria reported the surrender of one terrorist fighter, Ibrahim Malam, 28, to the 403 Amphibious Brigade in Baga. Preliminary investigations revealed that Malam had been a Boko Haram fighter living in Kwaleram, south of Lake Chad, for 6 years.
As Operation Lake Sanity II progresses, the MNJTF has urged other terrorists to surrender, and lay down their arms for lasting peace and prosperity in the region.
