The Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq says there is need for traditional rulers to be accorded constitutional roles as they are the closest to the grassroots.
Governor AbdulRazaq said; “the traditional rulers are the fourth tier of government and their duties encompass all we do in our society.”
He was speaking in Ilorin, the state capital, at the one-day sensitisation programme on community policing which, organised by the Kwara State Police Command on Wednesday.
He said; “We have always been grateful to them because I receive calls daily from them on security issues, not just giving information but also curbing civil disturbances like we recently had in Ilesha Baruba community where a civil disturbance came up and the Emir calmed the situation and ensured that the community is safe. We deeply appreciate his efforts on what he did.
“In the last meeting of Northern Governors held in Kaduna, there was the idea that the roles of the traditional rulers should be amplified and embedded into the constitution. This means that we should give them constitutional roles in the society. That is an ongoing process, and I am a supporter of this initiative.”
The Governor reiterated his support for community policing which he described as long due to strengthen security of lives and priorities.
He said; “Community policing is an idea that is long due. It helps to localise policing, brings security architecture closer to the grassroots, and gets a more robust buy-in of the people. It relies almost entirely on local intelligence and constant interactions with community folks to succeed. However, it is important to state that the success of community policing depends on all of us seeing it as our baby that must be nurtured to success.
“I therefore urge every stakeholder to support the initiative. As an administration, we are wholeheartedly committed to community policing and will continue to mobilise public support for it.”
The event was attended by top echelons of the police, serving and retired, such as the retired Inspectors-General of Police Aliu Attah and Tafa Balogun and the Kwara Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Bagega. It was also attended by leading traditional rulers, civil society groups, community leaders, and the media, amongst others.
Attah, in his speech, observed that the existing policing system had been grossly criticised for poor performance because of its inability to meet some expectations, a development he attributed largely to inadequate manpower and funding.
He said when community policing fully comes to play, it would generate employment, reduce youth restiveness, and minimise crimes.
“When a community policing system is introduced, most communities who have not felt the presence of government in their localities would at least know the government has come to them as they will have representation who will be concerned about their safety,” he said.
Also a former IGP, Tafa Balogun said the initiative climaxed his eight points agenda while in office, apart from the famous operation fire for fire.
He said he, alongside his colleagues are vehemently canvassing support to resuscitate community policing, on account of its potential benefits to reduce crime rate in the country.
The State Commissioner of police, Mohammed Bagega described the programme as a watershed and a radical renewed approach in the implementation of community policing strategy as espoused by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu.
Bagega stated that criminal activities in the nation now require pragmatic approach and support of all and sundry to curtail.
”The principle of community policing is the best option to ensure crime management and control..With robust relationship between the police and other stakeholders in the state, crime management and control would be achieved,” he added.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
