To enhance effective security architecture of Edo State in Nigeria, Governor Godwin Obaseki says his administration has contributed N2 billion to boost the state Security Trust Fund.
Speaking during the South-South Regional Police Security Summit 2019 at Event Centre, Asaba in Delta State on Tuesday, Obaseki said the fund would be used to cater for security challenges in the state, pledging to put in more funds in the purse.
Obaseki, however, decried the present structure of the Nigerian Police Force in the country in which the Federal government controls the policemen but the states fund the force.
He noted that allowing the state governments to fund a federal authority leaves a huge financial burden for the states in funding local policing.
The Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa harped on the need for proper restructuring of the Nigerian Police Force to enhance its effectiveness and performance.
Okowa lamented that apathy and suspicion and fear mar the relationship between the police and the civilians, and called for a cordial working relationship between the two for effective policing.
The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu advocated the need for restructuring of the Nigerian PPolice Force and for the various governments and civilians to embrace local policing as a way of curbing insecurity in the country.
The Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass in the Brass Kingdom and Chairman, Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, Alfred Papapreye Diete-Spiff sought the change of name from Nigerian Police Force to Nigerian Police compared to The Gambian Police for greater productivity.
Diette-Spiff also called for the establishment of the Coast Guard to be manned by the Nigerian Navy to curb incessant sea piracy in the country’s territorial waters.
He further called on the Federal Government to re-engage retired Inspectors-General of Police, Deputy Inspectors-General of Police, Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police for them to use their experience to fight insecurity in their different states and communities.
