FG reiterates commitment to improve security in Nigeria – Minister of Interior

FG reiterates commitment to improve security in Nigeria – Minister of Interior

By: Michael Mike, Abuja

The Federal Government has  once again reiterated her determination and   commitment to improve the  security of all citizens  in Nigeria with a view  to reducing the  current security challenges bedeviling  the country.

Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola stated this today during the inauguration of the Committee to study the Recommendations and implementation Strategies on Strengthening Internal Security Framework and Community Policing in Nigeria, in Abuja.

Aregbesola in his remarks   titled; A Quantum Leap on National Security: said  that the journey to today’s event began with the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 40,2018  of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), on Strengthening Internal Security Framework and Community Policing in Nigeria.

“Consequently, the Committee observed that the absence of a National Security Policy and Strategy document as  well as a  Monitoring and Evaluation Framework on Internal Security has negatively affected the operations of the Internal Security Agencies in the country which therefore necessitated the directive of Mr. President to approve an Inter-Ministerial Committee with all relevant stakeholders on Internal Security” to be put in place.

Aregbesola   stressed that one of the nine priority areas of the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is to improve governance and provide security for all citizens. “Therefore, it calls for all seriousness to provide the needed apparatus and security architecture to fight insecurity in the country.”

The Committee inaugurated has Seven  Sub – Committee and their  Terms of Reference (TOR).

A statement from Blessing Lere-Adams, Director  Press of the Ministry explained that, “The Committee to develop internal security    Policy and strategy with the Interior Minister as Chairman, Committee to Develop Mechanism for effective Synergy and Coordination among Internal Security Agencies and Adopt Community Policing as a National Strategy with the Police Affairs Minister as Chairman

“Committee to Develop Comprehensive Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for Internal Security Operatives with the Permanent Secretary  of Interior as Chairman while Committee on the Application of Appropriate Science , Technology and Innovation for Strengthening Internal Security ,Management , including Forensic Satellite Imagery, Drones , CCTVs etc with the representative of the Federal Ministry  of Science and Technology Innovation as Chairman.

“Committee on the  Establishment of Internal Service Trust Fund with  Permanent Secretary Ministry of Police Affairs as Chairman and Committee on the  Appropriate Devolution of Control of Resources along the chains of Command of Internal Security Agency with the Director General, National Drug Law & Enforcement Agency  as Chairman

“Committee to  Innovate  Funding Mechanism for upgrading Equipment Holdings of Internal Security Agencies and for providing Needed Equipment for Security Agencies  with the Inspector General, Nigeria Police Force as Chairman.”

Aregbesola also empathically said” I do not need to reiterate the seriousness of this assignment , providing security for lives and property of the citizens is the primary responsibility of the Government. This is a mission on which we cannot afford to fail.”

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The Minister said three things are clear in their mandate, the first is. There must be a new and effective  strategy thinking that should be at least two steps ahead of these current challenges .

He pointed out the recent incidents at the correctional facilities  which are no longer internal insurrection by inmates but mass  armed invasion from outside .A new strategy therefore must emerge to tackle these new challenges. Secondly is the issue of galvanizing resources –human, financial and technology

The third concern is community policing .The people he said are the primary agents in their security,  nevertheless , they must be socialized and well organized along that line-with the people in the first line of Defence . Therefore , if people are organized for their own security , it makes the work of security agencies easy.

Earlier, the  Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr.Shuaib Belgore expressed his appreciation to the Minister and the Executive Course (SEC) 40 ,2018  of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic  Studies (NIPSS), for the Report and  documents on Monitoring and Evaluation Framework on Internal Security  that made President Muhammadu Buhari to approve this Inter-Ministerial  Committee.

The Director Planning Research and Statistics, Mr Ayuba Kabir, thanked  all members  that attended   the inauguration and appreciated the Minister  and the  Permanent Secretary for ensuring a successful inauguration.

Other members of the Committee  are officers from ONSA, NN, NA, NAF, DSS, OSGF, IPCR, FMST, NICOMSAT, FMDE and Brig, General, Udaya (rtd) NIPSS DG,Air Commodore  I.J  Ukeh, representative of Chief of Air Staff, Brig Gen. MK Ibrahim  representative of Chief of Army Staff, Service Chiefs under Ministry of Interior and other personalities.

FG reiterates commitment to improve security in Nigeria – Minister of Interior