The commencement of community policing nationwide has received approval from the federal government, with N13.3 billion allocated for its take-off.
During the meeting chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the decision to approve the fund was based on a report presented by the adhoc committee on security and policing, headed by Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi.
Osinbajo also directed the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), Dr. Kayode Fayemi, and two other governors to convene a meeting with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha; the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed; and the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, to ensure effective utilization of the allocated fund.
A statement issued by Osinbajo’s spokesman, Mr. Laolu Akande highlighted the following:
“As the need arises, the committee will continue to convene meetings to update the council on the progress in addressing insecurity and criminality in the country.
“The President has approved N13.3 billion for the take-off of community policing in the country.
The VP requested a small team comprising the NGF chair, two additional governors, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Finance Minister, and the Inspector General of Police to ensure the effective utilization of the federal government’s funding.”
One of the recommendations to the council was:
“States and FCT should engage the services of respected community influencers such as the heads of ‘area boys,’ market women, and villagers in disseminating the same message to the grassroots using different modes/media that are common to such people and could easily attract their attention.”