It read, “INGENPOL (IG) directs that you be informed that (the) Federal Government has given approval for recruitment of special constables as a step forward to enhancing (the) community policing policy nationwide.
“INGENPOL further directs all commands’ CPs, ACPs and DPOs in your respective commands to liaise with traditional rulers and community leaders in your respective areas to form screening committees that will screen volunteers who must be of good character and who will eventually be recruited as special constables.”
The message added, “All those to be recommended must be resident in their respective communities and must also be between the ages of 21 and 50 with (the) willingness to serve the community.”
The IG told the CPs, ACPs and DPOs to study the Police Act 49 and 50 for proper guidance while urging them to provide updates on his directives.
At least, 50 volunteers are expected to be recruited from each of the 774 local government areas in the country.
Federal Government’s sudden approval of community policing after many years of deaf ears to nationwide clamor for State or community policing to stem the rising tide of insecurity in the country is coming on the heels of a regional security initiative of the six South-West governors, codenamed Operation Amotekun, set up to complement the efforts of the police in tackling insecurity in the region.
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, had initially described the outfit as “illegal” but later soft-pedalled on his declaration, saying he was misquoted.
Federal Government opposition to the takeoff of the security outfit was reportedly cleared after the South-West governors met with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, and Malami in Abuja on the matter.
THE ECHO 