In recent times, the country’s security situation can be said to have reached an alarming level. This is because the crime rate seems to be increasing by the day as cases of kidnapping, rape, armed robbery, and insurgency are rife. What needs to be done and the roles expected to be played dominated discussions on the security challenges facing Nigeria.
According to the Chairman, Police Community Relations Committee, (PCRC) Ogun State Branch, Dr. Samson Popoola, a smart way to resolve most of the insecurity issues has to with the ability and willingness of Nigerians to always provide vital information to security agencies as part of measures to rid the country of crimes. Dr. Popoola gave the admonition while fielding questions on the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State radio station, FUNAAB 89.5FM live interactive programme, Boiling Point.
For him, there is a need for everyone to rise up to the task of engaging in the art of policing. Dr. Popoola insisted that everyone has to be vigilant and report any strange acts in their respective community to law enforcement agencies. He added that criminals are not ghosts and that citizens must cooperate with the police for the nation to get it right in the area of security. The PCRC chairman decried instances of police harassment of the people as well as the burning of police stations. Dr. Popoola stressed the need for relevant agencies such as the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to re-orientate the populace on their constitutional roles, which include respecting the police.
“We need to get a police system that will work for all of us as a nation”, saying that the police are expected to be trained, charged, and carry out their constitutional role of protecting human rights and civility. According to him, “If we give decorum to our police, we will receive decorum from them, though constitutionally, they are supposed to be there to save us”, adding that “The attitude of the citizens towards police should change and everyone needs to support them”. The guest urged Nigerians not to lose hope in the country, even as he tasked youths to brace up for the daunting task of nation building.
Dr. Popoola charged the new Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Usman Alkali Baba, who takes over from Mr. Abubakar Adamu Mohammed, whose tenure ended in February, to live up to expectations by policing the entire country, stressing that efforts are also ongoing to amend the Police Act, 2020, which was repealed the Police Act Cap. P19. Laws of the Federation, 2004 and provides for a more effective and well-organised Police Force, driven by the principles of transparency and accountability in its operations and management of its resources. The Act also establishes an appropriate funding framework for the Police in line with what is obtainable in other Federal Government key institutions, enhances professionalism in the force through increased training opportunities, and by creating enduring cooperation and partnership between the Police Force and communities in maintaining peace and combating crimes nationwide.
In the same vein, the Special Assistant to the Ogun State Governor on Student Affairs, Comrade Azeez Adeyemi had earlier called for collective efforts between the government and stakeholders at securing schools across the country. He said security is a collective responsibility of everyone, adding that students have a role to play in providing useful information to government and security agencies. Comrade Adeyemi made the call while fielding questions on the same programme. The governor’s aide noted that as a responsible and proactive citizen, everyone should always provide government and security agencies with needed information and support in the fight against insecurity.
A former Public Relations Officer of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), called for proper orientation and frequent engagement of security agencies, even as he urged them to have a change of attitude while carrying out their responsibility. He expressed the belief that the formation of state police would help in curtailing kidnapping and other criminal activities in and around campuses. He assured that Governor Abiodun was determined to changing the face of the education sector in Ogun State, stressing that the state government had increased the number of security personnel around schools and campuses.
The aide further disclosed that the government had been engaged in the massive orientation of community and religious leaders on the importance of being vigilant to curtail crimes and all forms of criminality in the state. The guest also charged authorities to do whatever that is expected of them to keep their schools safe. From the submissions of the speakers, what is consistent is that the protection of lives and property is a joint responsibility requiring the cooperation and support of all citizens, law enforcement agents, and the state. This synergy should be fostered by giving it what it takes in terms of time, resources, and plans, which reverberates the age-long saying that security is not only a serious business but collective responsibility.
