Minister of state for police affairs, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has said the federal government will soon commence the withdrawal of police personnel from Very Important Personalities (VIPs) and develop a community policing strategy.
She stated this at a two-day retreat for the directorate cadre of the ministry with the theme, “Re: Envisioning the Ministry of Police Affairs for Effective Internal Security: Strengthening Administration and Management Functions for Resilience and Efficiency”.
The minister said the key mandates of the ministry are developing and implementing harmonized police reform report, amending the Police Act, executing Mr President’s directive on the withdrawal of personnel from VIP among others.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim stated that the mandates are not mere tasks but transformative initiatives that can enhance internal security in Nigeria, noting that the two-day management retreat will inspire a collective commitment to align efforts of the ministerial mandate to contribute to the realization of Mr. President’s vision for a renewed, highly effective Nigeria Police Force.
She recalled that the Nigeria Police Force find itself at a critical juncture, and is currently struggling with the consequences of decades of neglect that have hindered its ability to fulfill its constitutional mandate.
Also, the chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Dr Solomon Arase, said the Nigeria Police Force is fundamental to the ministry, as to the commission, adding that the principal mandate of both organisations is to ensure the smooth functioning and effectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force.
In his welcome address, the permanent secretary, Ministry of Police Affairs, Dr Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, stated that the retreat is targeted at improving efficiency and enhancing performances of the service, in the face of the current global dynamics.
The representative of the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Head of the Conflict and Security Programme (Nigeria and Lake Chad Basin), Mr. Annup Vyas, said that the United Kingdom is committed to Nigeria’s Police reforms and ready to do more in the spirit of partnership, adding that they are interested in the plan for the future, how to adapt and identify new opportunities that will help the need of Nigeria system.
