Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has thrown his weight behind the establishment of Community Policing, a move, he said, is aimed at fully integrating citizens into the security architecture of their communities to provide lasting solutions to the security challenges plaguing the country.
Governor Fubara made his position known during a two-day stakeholders’ engagement on General Security Challenges in the South-South Geo-Political Zone, held in Port Harcourt.
The event, themed “Development of Modern Strategies to Sustain the Current Gains by the Security Agencies in the South-South Geo-Political Zone,” brought together various stakeholders to brainstorm on effective security solutions.
The governor, represented by Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, emphasized that insecurity is a global concern, not unique to Nigeria, but stressed that homegrown solutions are essential to tackling the prevailing security challenges in the country.
He also highlighted the importance of training traditional rulers, youths, women groups, faith-based organizations, and civil society organizations (CSOs) on conflict management models.
According to him, “Brainstorm on security challenges and solutions require collaboration with all because security watch and control is not a one-man business. This meeting will provide a Forum to review the security challenges in the South-South Zone and proffer recommendations to address them. The composition of participants is therefore well-thought out as they are in constant and close touch with the people.”
The Governor promised to implement the recommendations of the programme as he thanked President Ahmed Tinubu for choosing Rivers State to host the South-South stakeholders’ engagement and promised to remain consistent in support of the security agencies.
“I sincerely appreciate His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for approving this Stakeholders’ Engagement on General Security Challenges in the South-South Geo-Political Zone. It equally buttresses your commitment to the security of lives and property in Nigeria as enshrined in our Constitution.
“In enthroning peace and security in the State, we as a government have made bold and giant strides in supporting the security agencies in combating crime in the state. Recently we donated 100 patrol vehicles to the Nigeria Police, 6 gunboats to the Nigerian Navy. We supply PMS and AGO monthly to the Joint Task Force comprising of the security agencies to aid them in their daily operations. We have placed some security agencies on monthly subvention to support their day to day logistics.
“We support widows of slain security officers with some form of fund, and also security personnel in need of help. The State Government also supports the security agencies in infrastructural development such as office accommodation, residential quarters etc.
“All these measures are meant to provide a safe and secure Rivers state where individuals and private establishments will carry out their legitimate business without fear of molestation,” he stated.
In his opening remark, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, noted that the stskeholders engagement was constituted to create a forum to constantly review the security challenges alongside corresponding recommendations with a view to maintain the confidence between the government and the communities.
The SGF, represented by the Director, Special Services, OSGF, Mr David Attah added that the security engagement is also, “To raise security awareness and consciousness of critical stakeholders at the grassroots,” and “To provide a forum for exchange of ideas to address the challenges with operations of non-state based security outfits in the zone.”
“It is hoped that at the end of the workshop, participants will be encouraged to enlighten other members of their respective communities,” he summed up.
The programme also featured paper presentation by the former DG of DSS, Matthew Seiyefa, titled ‘The Fight Against Piracy and Illegal Bunkering of Crude Oil and other Crimes in the South-South Zone: Challenges and Prospects,” and another paper by Dr. Grace Scent titled ‘Peace-building Mechanism to Curb Crimes and other Community-based Violence in the South-South Geo-Political Zone of Nigeria.”
Stakeholders at the engagement also included the Chairman, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers and Paramount Ruler of Apara Kingdom, Eze Chike Amadi Worlu Wodo and his Akwa Ibom State counterpart, the Oku Ibom Ibibio/President of Akwa Ibom Traditional Rulers Council, His Eminence, Ntenyin Solomon Etuk, the Christian Association of Nigeria Chairman, Rivers State Branch, the Most Rev. Ka;adokubo Bray and other stakeholders from across Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo and Cross Rivers States.