MARGARET CHIDERA
Minister of Police Affairs, Dr. Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, has charged community leaders and peace-loving members in communities across the country, to cooperate with securities agencies in their efforts at fighting bandits and other senseless elements threatening peace and security.
In a press statement e-signed and released to The Trumpet by the Ministry’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Mr. Bolaji Kazeem, it stated that, “The Honourable Minister of Police Affairs, Dr. Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, has charged community leaders and peace-loving members in the communities in the country, to cooperate with the securities agencies in their efforts at fighting bandits and other senseless elements threatening peace and security.”
“He made this known during the interactive session with journalists at the weekend, at the Ministry Headquarters in Abuja.”
“The Minister stated that security checks have confirmed that most banditry activities are perpetrated by people living in contiguous communities, using unpatriotic people in the same communities as agents that aid them with intelligence in carrying out their nefarious activities.”
Dingyadi noted that policing infrastructure is currently receiving attention, through the recent deployment of drones by the Nigeria Police, for surveillance of vulnerable locations, and the deployment of additional Explosive Ordinance Devices, EODs, to detect bombs and other covert measures, which will help in curtailing violent crimes.
“We need intelligence to guide our operations and also need the support of the general public as we are improving on our intelligence, equipment and well-kitted officers in the course of their operations.” The Minister reiterated.
He said the Police is also re-strategising its kinetic and non-kinetic operations, with a view to crushing all forms of security challenges in the country. “Nigeria Police Force has strengthened kinetic operations against mindless persons or groups orchestrating violence against Nigerians,” the Minister stressed.
Dingyadi reiterated the government’s commitment to maintaining peace and provision of safety, in order to create a conducive environment for economic growth; noting that “government will continue to require support to promote inclusiveness and a consistent campaign against enemies of our collective good.”
According to him, “Let me reassure Nigerians, that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration remains committed to ensuring that justice is done for both victims of crime and their perpetrators. Your continuous support to the police will strengthen the needed synergy between the police and the citizenry in the fight against all forms of violent crimes in Nigeria, together we will win the peace and enhance security.”
On issues of the salary of the police, the Minister stated that the government is fast-tracking the increment, adding that police management is up and doing to ensure collaboration with the Ministry of Finance for the increment to come into fruition. “They have already started implementing part of it and very soon, it would be fully implemented,” he stated.
