Security outfit seeks Taraba Govt’s recognition to boost community safety.

By Terna Chikpa

A local security formation, (Neighborhood Community Police) has sought recognition of the Taraba State government with necessary equipment and fundings, to help boost security of lives and property especially in rural areas of the state.

Commander Raymond Bulus, the commander in charge made the appeal during the graduation of 600 newly recruited personnel of the formation in Jalingo.

According to Commander Bulus, official recognition of the Neighborhood Community Police, by providing the formation with required tools, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) would mitigate the challenges of insecurity especially in rural areas of Taraba.

Bulus also disclosed that the Neighborhood Community Police was made to assist the Nigeria Police, and other sister agencies to fight crime through surveillance and intelligence gathering in rural communities.

“Our aim is to assist the official personnel of the Nigeria security to fight crime especially in rural communities.

“Through community surveillance, we would provide intelligence to the police and other security agencies about criminal elements in communities of the state.

“We wish to respectfully request the formal recognition of our organization 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 appealed.

Meanwhile, Taraba State Commissioner of Police, CP Edwin Ogbeghagha, represented by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Admin and Planning, Uba Shehu, urged personnel of the formation to uphold professionalism in discharging their duties.

The CP also urged them to shun corruption, while upholding trust among personnel.

“You must show 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 the professionalism; shun corruption and show high level of trust among communities you are posted to serve”, he said

Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Agbu Kefas on Community Engagement, who was also pronounced as Deputy Commander, Surveillance, Neighborhood Community Police in Taraba, Hon. David Enock Usman (Gashaka), said the training and inauguration of another 600 personnel into the service was a step toward expanding grassroots security.

Usman said his rank as the Deputy Commander Surveillance, is a moral booster to coordinate between government, community police, traditional institutions and other security agencies to ensure that accurate and timely sensitive information are provided to the authorities concerned for prompt action

He also appealed to Governor Kefas to formerly recognise the Neighborhood Community Police as part of the state’s security.