By Chizoba Ogbeche, Abuja
Th e Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has received the report of the 2017 National Economic Summit and directed that it should be circulated to the relevant ministries and agencies for study and implementation. Receiving the report, the IGP reinstated the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to ensure the safety of lives and properties amidst the issues of farmers and herdsmen clashes. He commended the committee and all participants at the summit for the good work and making the event a success.
Speaking at the event, the chairman, LEADERSHIP Group Ltd, Sam Nda-Isaiah, who was represented by the Director of Conference, John George-Igoche thanked and congratulated the IGP for understanding the role of the media in achieving national security; stating that LEADERSHIP participated in the event in the spirit of Corperate Social Responsibility.
Th e report signed by the IGP, Chairman, LEADERSHIP Group Ltd and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, urged the federal government to implement the recommendations of the reports of previous committees on Police Service Reforms aimed at restructuring the Force, to facilitate attitudinal change, and enhance operational effi ciency through a Police Force that is responsive, humane, professional, courageous and sensitive to policing in a democracy. It also, encouraged the National Assembly to expedite the process of passing the “National Police Reform Trust Fund Bill” to provide the framework for better funding the Force through the fi rst line charge. Finally, the government should encourage confl ict sensitivity in planning and development especially in media reporting and all conversations in the social in strengthening social cohesion, peace promotions, countering violent extremism and promoting national security.
Recall that in its commitment to the safety and security of all Nigerians in all parts of the country, the Nigeria Police Force in conjunction with LEADERSHIP Newspaper and the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) held a two-day National Security Summit at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, between May 11th and 12th, 2017 with the theme “Forging Partnership for Eff ective Strategies to Curb the Menace of Kidnapping, Recurring FarmersHerders Clashes and Criminality in Nigeria”. Th e IGP had revealed that there is shortage of manpower in the Nigeria Police Force and the police needed 155,000 more personnel to meet up the UN ratio of one policeman to 400 people for eff ective policing. Speaking at the event, Chairman, National Council of Traditional Rulers in the North (NCTRN), Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, stated that national security must be placed above individual liberty.
