Seven cities to serve as crime prevention and control models
By
Apr 23, 2009, 16:57

The Federal Government has approved seven cities nationwide to serve as crime prevention and control models. Government expects the Nigerian Police to reduce crime by 40% in these seven cities over the next year.

The pilot cities for the new crime prevention methods are Abuja, Kano, Ibadan, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Onitsha and Maiduguri.

Under the security sub-heading of the 2009 budget, the Federal Government is investing N5.738billion in the Police in a new initiative in enhancing security and community policing in the selected model cities.

On Thursday April 23, Police Affairs minister, Dr Ibrahim Lame inaugurated committees on the implementation of police reforms.

One of the committees is also to supervise the transformation of the police academy in Kano to a degree awarding institution and is expected to submit its report within 60 days.

The minister also said Government is collaborating with private partners to improve the digital infrastructure for modern policing.

He explained that the purpose of the committees was intended to review the image of the Nigerian police.

He listed some of their terms of reference as to:

• Coordinate the implementation of government white paper on police reforms
• Set up appropriate sub-committees in training and capacity building, equipment and logistics, and administrative sub-committees
• Develop terms of reference for the sub-committees

In a goodwill message, the Federal Attorney General and Justice Minister, Mr Michael Aondookaa urged the committees to target a Police Force that will stop the violation of human rights.

The Justice Minister gave the assurance that his office would cooperate with the police to ensure success in its reform processes

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