3rd from left: AIG Miller Dantawaye representing Inspector-General of Police at All Nigeria Rotary Peace Summit at Alausa, Ikeja, on Saturday
Investment
The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Olatunji Disu, has called for more investments in the professional development of security personnel and youths to strengthen peace and security.
He also called for stronger partnership with Rotary International to strengthen community policing, promote conflict prevention and build safer communities across Nigeria.
Disu made the call at the All Nigeria Rotary Peace Summit on Saturday in Ikeja.
The summit had the theme, “Good Governance, Justice and Equity: Foundations for Sustainable Peace”.
Disu was represented by Assistant Inspector-General of Police Miller Dantawaye in charge of Zone 13 Police Command.
The command comprises Anambra and Enugu states.
Disu stressed the need to invest in the professional development of security personnel and young people, describing such investments as essential to lasting peace and security.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to partnerships that would promote justice, responsible citizenship and peaceful communities.
The I-G said sustainable peace went beyond the absence of violence, stressing that it required justice, fairness, good governance, respect for human rights and institutions that would enjoy public confidence.
Disu said that equity and the rule of law were essential foundations for national stability.
According to him, citizens are more likely to resolve grievances through lawful and peaceful means when they believe that the law applies equally to everyone.
He said that equal protection, access to justice and respect for human dignity were necessary for building peaceful and stable communities.
He said the police remained committed to protecting lives and property, preventing and detecting crime, maintaining public order and enforcing law professionally and impartially.
The I-G, however, said that security was not the sole responsibility of the police, noting that effective policing required the cooperation and active participation of citizens.
He described community policing as an important bridge between law enforcement institutions and communities.
“Effective policing requires more than the presence of officers on our streets.
“It requires communication, cooperation, mutual respect and a shared understanding of the security challenges confronting our communities,” he said.
Disu said that citizens’ trust in the police would encourage them to provide useful information, report crimes and cooperate with investigations.
He added that police officers, who understood the concerns and realities of their communities, would be better positioned to prevent crimes and resolve disputes.
The I-G said that trust must be earned through professional conduct, transparency, accountability, responsiveness and respect for human rights.
He highlighted the role of Rotary International in promoting peacebuilding through its commitment to fellowship, integrity, diversity and service to humanity.
Disu said that there was considerable opportunity for the Nigeria Police Force and Rotary to develop partnerships in peace education, youth engagement, community dialogue, conflict prevention and public safety awareness.
He said Rotary International’s extensive community networks and the police’s nationwide presence could complement each other in identifying local security challenges, promoting responsible citizenship and encouraging peaceful resolution of disputes.
The I-G urged Rotary International to support qualified police officers to access its Peace Fellowship programmes to strengthen their expertise in conflict prevention, mediation, community engagement and peacebuilding.
He noted that the programmes provided specialised training in peacebuilding, conflict prevention and resolution, adding that such opportunities would improve the capacities of police personnel to manage security challenges.
Disu said that criminals continually adapted their strategies, making it necessary for the police to regularly improve their knowledge, skills and approaches to stay ahead of security threats.
He urged strengthening of partnerships between institutions and communities, governments and citizens, and security agencies and service organisations.(NAN)
