FG’s Community Policing Kicks Off, As Buhari Approves N13billion

By Ayodele Oni

The Community Policing initiative of the Federal Government is set to take off as part of efforts to boost security nationwide.

President Mohamadu Buhari has announced the approval of the sum of N13.3billion for its take off.

The President disclosed this in Abuja at the opening of a two-day Mid-Term Ministerial Performance Review Retreat to assess progress made towards the achievement of the nine key priorities of his administration.

He stated: “We have, also, approved the sum of N13.3 billion for the take-off of the Community Policing initiative across the country, as part of measures adopted to consolidate efforts aimed at enhancing security nationwide.

“As part of the efforts towards strengthening our national security, we have increased investments in arms, weapons and other necessary equipment; expanded the National Command and Control Centre to nineteen states of the Federation; and established a Nigerian Police Trust Fund, which would significantly improve funding for the Nigeria Police Force.”

He further told the two day retreat that the Ministry of Defence has been instructed to create a modest military-industrial complex for the local production of weapons to meet some of the requirements of the country’s armed forces.

The establishment of the industrial complex, he said would address Nigeria’s over-dependence on other countries for military equipment and logistics.

The project is being implemented under the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), a military department responsible for arms manufacture.

On other efforts to strengthen national security, Buhari said it was gratifying to note that Nigeria had received six A-29 Super Tucano aircraft.

He said the propeller-driven aircraft are being used for training, surveillance and attack by the military.