By Esho Ayemoba
The Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam has pointed out National Public Security Communication System (NPSCS) would enhance the initiative of the Edo State Government Command and Control Centre recently launched.
He stated this during the security summit and the launch of the Command-and-Control Center with the theme “Repositioning for the Future” at the Edo Festival Hall, Government House in Benin City recently.
In his speech delivered by the Director (General Services) in the Ministry of Police Affairs, Mrs. Edemanya Brayila Ibilola, she stated that the National Public Security Project System (NPSCS), which has a Command and Control Centre, toll-free call lines, enhanced communications arrangements among others have been concession and progress is being made in reviving the project by the Ministry.
In his words: “What we are witnessing this day is the rebirth of a new security architecture that would inspire international best practices and herald smart policing order, where happenings will be monitored real-time, from the Command-and-Control Centre.
He said “It is indeed the dawn of a new era for policing in Edo State and the entire nation. It is therefore instructive to mention that the renowned hope administration of President Asiwaju Tinubu is mindful of the cardinal role of security, hence it occupies an enviable position in the 8 points agenda of this administration.
Gaidam, reiterated that security as the fulcrum that spins other human endeavors requires the highest order of inclusiveness to promote a people-centric security paradigm capable of ensuring peace, the safety of lives and property, promoting harmonious coexistence and providing an enabling environment for economic growth, development, and shared prosperity.
He added that Edo State occupies a unique geographical position that connects all parts of the nation, from the South West to the South-South, South East, North Central to entire northern Nigeria, thus affirming the impact of having a secured Edo State on the entire nation.
The Minister added that the Ministry of Police Affairs which supervises the lead agency in internal security, remains unwavering in its commitments to emplace sustainable policies and programs that will reform, re-equip, re-train, and motivate officers and men of the Nigeria Police, to ensure their professionalism, operational capability and adherence to the rule of law.
In his address, the Chairman of the Occasion, Dr. Solomom Arase, Chairman, Police Service Commission said the need for intelligence-led and community policing through the strategical deployment of intelligence with a focus lens on addressing cultism and kidnapping in Edo state.
According to him, “ The substantial vibrant students domicile in our state becomes particularly susceptible to challenges of cultism given their impressionable nature.
This number does not take into consideration the body of secondary school children who were recruited in droves into various cult groups. It becomes imperative to address the issue strategically to counteract the menace of cultism in the state.
In his address, the Executive Governor of Edo state, Godwin Obaseki stated that since they have been using data to map crime incidents in the state and with the significant cooperation and sharing of information by the federal security agencies that was part of the security reforms had led to 41.7% reduction of crimes between 2021-2023.
He appreciated the cooperation of the Inspector General of Police for allowing the state to renovate police institutions in the state and use the facilities to train members of the Edo state volunteers services adding that those trained were properly profiled and documented.
In his words, “What is key for us, as you all know, Crime and security is local until we have a decentralized legislative framework to allow component states to undertake policing on a certain level. Our traditional rulers are key to the security arrangement we put in place. As we look into the future, the emphasis must be decentralizing policing.”