Awka, Anambra State (Nigeria): In a proactive move to strengthen grassroots security, the Nigeria Police Force has approved a comprehensive training program for indigenous security outfits in Anambra State.
This initiative aims to enhance security effectiveness and foster collaboration between local security groups and the Nigerian Police.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in an interview with The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka on Saturday.
Ikenga said that the state security outfits needed reformation to be in tune with modern security processes.
The PPRO stated that the command required effective collaboration with state-owned outfits to achieve resounding success in their security network.
“These officers are local, so they have quality information to offer the Police.
“Besides, they have rich knowledge of their people and know the terrain much better than the Police, so there is a need to train them for greater results.
“We have to conquer the conspiracy of silence by the people, where helpful information is kept away from the Police for fear of the unknown, thereby making Police work more difficult.
“The police need to train the local security workers on the essence of the term ‘If you see something or hear something, say something,’ and they, in turn, will pass down the term to their people for greater neighbourhood watch,” he said.
Ikenga also said that the Police were preparing for the Nov. 8 governorship election in the state.
He added that with adequate basic security training skills for the local security officers, challenges encountered between the local officers and the public would be minimised.
The PPRO explained that basic guidelines in security activities, such as proper public conduct and the application of instinctive intelligence, were key to achieving security balance in a state.
According to him, the absence of key skills in security officers can lead to preventable altercations that may escalate to unlawful acts.
Ikenga emphasised the importance of proper orientation on social behaviour and respect for human rights to prevent encroachment on public rights.
According to him, a lack of this may hamper or trigger public unrest, which is essential for effective policing.