The Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Baba Alkali has emphasised the importance of the traditional institution in achieving community policing initiatives.
Alkali stated this during an official visit to the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Abubakar at his palace in Gombe covered by NigeriaCrime.com correspondent.
Underscoring the relevance of traditional rulers as critical stakeholders in crime prevention and control the IGP said the traditional institution remains key in the achievement of the community policing initiative of the Nigeria Police Force where all citizens are expected to participate effectively.
Reiterating his commitment to carrying traditional rulers along in new strategies to combat crime and criminality in the country, Baba Alkali said the need for that is more imperative now that the security situation in the country is worrisome.
While appreciating the critical contribution of the traditional institution in trust and peacebuilding in communities, IGP Baba Alkali encouraged the monarch to promote the inculcation of norms and values among the people to reduce vices in societies.
He also disclosed that with the successful training and deployment of ten thousand police officers, another ten thousand are being recruited, urging the royal father to encourage interested young people in the state to participate in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive that all the 774 local government areas in the country be represented in the exercise.
IGP Baba Alkali also noted that Gombe state is commercially endowed, stressing that the need to secure it remains paramount for businesses to continually strive.
Responding, the elated Emir of Gombe and Chairman of the State Council of Emirs and Chiefs, Dr. Abubakar Shehu Abubakar all described the IGP’s visit to the State as historic, noting that Usman Baba Alkali was the first IGP to spend a night in Gombe which underscores his long-standing relationship with the state.
NigeriaCrime.com reports that the highlight of the visit was a presentation of a gift of special specie of a bull to the IG by the Emir.