The Honourable Minister of State for Police Affairs, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim, has emphasized the importance of town hall engagements across the country to enhance grassroots understanding of security dynamics and foster community-specific solutions.
Speaking at the “Renewed Hope Police Agenda: Citizens Town Hall Engagement on Strengthening Community Policing in Nigeria” held at the Alhaji Aliyu Akwe Doma Banquet Hall, Nasarawa State Government House in Lafia, she highlighted the critical need for local approaches to security.
Minister Imaan reiterated that security is inherently local, and approaches must reflect an appreciation for each community’s unique characteristics, challenges, and strengths.
She stated, “Security is local, and we must acknowledge and embrace the unique dynamics of each community in our pursuit of a safer nation.
“Today’s town hall is a reflection of the significant shift in our approach to policing. As you may be aware, Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 puts the security and welfare of our people as the government’s priority.”
She added that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has prioritized security within the administration’s eight key priorities, and the implementation of the Renewed Hope Police Agenda has begun.
”This agenda aims to ensure the police force is strategically positioned to fulfill its mandate through a community policing strategy designed around local peculiarities and considerations, with full community participation and stakeholder involvement to ensure inclusivity and ownership,” she added.
Imaan noted that Nasarawa State is unique in terms of security due to its diverse and rapidly growing community, substantial mineral deposits, and proximity to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which brings significant socio-economic opportunities but also increases the security burden.
She reiterated that the Renewed Hope Police Agenda for Nasarawa State seeks to build on local efforts while supporting existing collaborations, making Nasarawa a model for effective security measures within the North Central Region.
She outlined six foundational pillars as strategic frameworks designed to redefine and strengthen the Nigeria Police Force: Technical and Operational Excellence, Infrastructure Advancement, Welfare Enhancement, Policy Framework Development, Re-branding, Strategic Communication, and Public Trust Management.
The National Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Alhaji Mogaji Ibraheem Olaniyan, represented by the National Vice Chairman, Don Kenneth Otuonunyo, emphasized the central role of the police in security and the necessity of bridging the gap between the Nigeria Police Force and the community to enhance policing.
He called for community collaboration with the police, providing necessary information to improve police performance.
On his part, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule, expressed the state’s willingness to collaborate with the Ministry of Police Affairs and the Nigeria Police Force to enhance policing in Nigeria.
He urged the private sector and other relevant stakeholders to support the Renewed Hope Police Agenda to achieve its objectives.
In his welcome remarks, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Intelligence, DIG Dasuki Galadachi, revealed that the IGP, in conjunction with the United Nations Development Programme, has approved Crime Data Analysis and Mapping in all local government areas across the country.