By Terna Chikpa
A local security outfit, the Neighbourhood Community Police, has appealed to the Taraba State Government for official recognition, operational equipment and funding to strengthen security, particularly in rural communities across the state.
The Commander of the outfit, Raymond Bulus, made the appeal during the graduation ceremony of 600 newly recruited personnel of the formation in Jalingo.
Bulus said official recognition of the Neighbourhood Community Police, alongside the provision of necessary operational tools and collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, would help address insecurity, particularly in rural areas of Taraba State.
He explained that the formation was established to support the police and other security agencies through surveillance, intelligence gathering and the identification of criminal elements in rural communities.
“Our aim is to assist the official personnel of the Nigerian security agencies in fighting crime, especially in rural communities.
“Through community surveillance, we would provide intelligence to the police and other security agencies about criminal elements in communities across the state.
“We wish to respectfully request the formal recognition of our organisation as Taraba State Community Police, with the provision of operational funding, patrol vehicles and office accommodation to improve our effectiveness, especially in rural and mining communities,” the commander said.
Meanwhile, the Taraba State Commissioner of Police, CP Edwin Ogbeghagha, represented by the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Administration and Planning, Uba Shehu, urged personnel of the formation to uphold professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
The police commissioner also cautioned them against corruption and charged them to maintain mutual trust and work in collaboration with other security agencies.
“You must show a high level of trust among colleagues and work in synergy with other security agencies to win the fight against crime in Taraba State.
“You must uphold professionalism, shun corruption and build a high level of trust among the communities you are posted to serve,” the CP said.
Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Agbu Kefas on Community Engagement, David Enock Usman (Gashaka), who was also announced as Deputy Commander, Surveillance, of the Neighbourhood Community Police in Taraba, described the training and inauguration of another 600 personnel as a significant step towards expanding grassroots security.
Usman said his appointment as Deputy Commander, Surveillance, would strengthen coordination among the state government, the community security outfit, traditional institutions and other security agencies.
He added that the position would facilitate the provision of accurate and timely intelligence to relevant authorities for prompt action.
Usman also appealed to Governor Kefas to formally recognise the Neighbourhood Community Police as part of the state’s security architecture.