By Daniel Abia/Port Harcourt
Rivers State Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Austen Young, has called for more funding for the Nigerian police from both the government and the private sector.
He made the appeal in Asaba, Delta State capital, during the score cared presentation ceremony of the Inspector General of Police, Muhammed Abubakar, hosted by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State. He said that Nigeria was not ripe for state police.
His words: “It is not about governors using state police against political opponents but a lot of things need to be on ground before you talk of state police. You don’t compare Nigeria with America because they have state and county police. How many states are debt-free?”
He added: “We need to demarcate jurisdictions and we need to properly understudy those countries where state police is working”.
The PCRC boss stressed that what Nigerian needs now is more funding for the Nigerian police while emphasizing community-driven neighbourhood watch and community safety partnerships”.
Young also joined the queue of Nigerians who have been commending the Inspector General of Police for transforming the Nigerian Police Force, adding that “Abubakar brought innovation and panache to the force and it is showing. “Abubakar means well for Nigeria and Nigerians. He is clear-headed, focused and purpose-driven. His score card speaks volumes, especially in the deliberate effort to collaborate with sister security agencies, as well as intelligence-led policing, trainings, police welfare, among others.
“His achievements are monumental and whoever that will take over from him has a big challenge excelling his record”.
On the crisis of confidence between the Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, and the Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu, Young insisted: “Mbu is a performer; he is almost a replica of the IGP, but he grossly misunderstood because politicians are used to having police officers who take orders without examining the content and impact of such orders”.
Young described the Rivers State commissioner of police as a very principled and disciplined police officer who has remained unruffled and unassailable in spite of all the distractions from different political quarters.
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