Nigeria’s former Inspector General of Police, (IGP) Solomon Arase, has blamed the transfer of responsibility for security from traditional rulers to local government chairmen for the pervasive insecurity in the country.
Arase therefore suggested going back to incorporate traditional institutions into the nation’s security architecture.
The former IGP spoke on Sunday at a security summit organised by Almalgamated Afemai Forum, AAF, held in Auchi, Edo State. Describing traditional rulers as “the eyes of the people in their various communities”, Arase insisted that “We have to go back to incorporate traditional institutions into our security architectures.
“Taking away the security from the traditional rulers to local government chairmen is responsible for the insecurity in the country”.
Reiterating the call for community policing, the former police chief called for synergy among all security agencies to address the challenges.
The Chairman of the AAF, Dr. Mustapha Lecky, said strengthening of security institutions and consulting with local authorities and stakeholders would go a long way in achieving security and peace in Edo North Senatorial District.
“This programme is to provide opportunity for stakeholders to engage in conversations aimed at putting an end to insecurity in our area,” he said.
Governor Godwin Obaseki who was special guest at the event but represented by the deputy chief of staff, Jimoh Ijegbai, said the state government had put in place a security architecture for community policing.
According to him, “We have set up a security network with the local vigilantes to protect lives and properties. We look forward to partner with you to make our state safe and secure”.
Earlier, the convener of the programme, Dr. Bright Aregs, said the summit was to discuss the insecurity in Edo North and to proffer solutions to it.
Aregs said the organisation was to raise the sum of N5 billion security trust fund for effective policing of the area.
“This summit is to raise huge amount of money for the strategies to combat crime in the senatorial district. It is our responsibility that at the end of today, we will neutralise insecurity in our land,” Aregs stated.
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