Yes to Community Policing – By Shamsudeen Yammama

3 Min Read

I will like to commend the A.g Inspector General of Police for giving life to the dormant provision of the Police Act. section 50 (1)a, b and c of the Police Act CAP P14 Laws of the  Federation of Nigeria 2004 which States as follows :

‘’ Appointment of special constables in normal circumstances (1) Subject to the provisions of  this section, the competent authority may appoint as a special constable any person (whether  male or female) who- (a) has attained the age of21 years but has not attained the age of fifty  years; and (b) is of good character and physically fit; and (c) has signified his willingness to  serve as a special constable’’.

The activation of the above provisions becomes necessary in my view due to the fact that  we are under policed, in most parts of Nigeria the moment you leave the Local  Government Headquarters you hardly see the presence of Police officers thus the rising  cases of killings, kidnappings and other criminal activities in the hitherto peaceful rural  areas. Furthermore the persons to be appointed as constables should be nominated by the  community in consultation with the traditional Institutions which is the only authority  that people see and believe in outside the Local Government Headquarters with a view to  increasing community policing. I make bold to say that doing so will give the people more  security as the constables will be trained and armed, community policing and will deter  the armed bandits from attacking the rural areas ,it will also go a long way in assisting the  Police intelligence gathering mechanisms and most importantly promoting community  policing.

It is, therefore my fervent hope that the IGP WILL hasten the activation of section 50  (1)of the Police Act to save the lives of Nigerians especially in the rural areas which is so  under policed. I will also urge the IGP to set out clear cut parameters for the  recruitment i.e NYSC discharge certificate, consultation with the community because  we must ensure that credible Nigerians are given the task.

The Challenge is all ours.

Shamsudeen Abdulrahman Yammama can be reached on s[email protected]

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