The Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Ibrahim Geidam, has called on the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) to deepen its efforts in addressing Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
Geidam made this call during the 41st anniversary celebration of the PCRC, held on Thursday in Abuja. He was represented by the Deputy Director of Community Policing in the Ministry, Muhammud Yakubu.
“Your contributions have remained vital in confronting emerging security challenges, including but not limited to terrorism, banditry, cybercrime, and communal conflict,” he stated.
The minister noted that the Federal Government acknowledged the PCRC’s critical role in crime prevention, intelligence gathering, and public sensitisation, all of which contribute to peace, order, and national unity.
“We have also acknowledged your contributions in promoting early warning systems, strengthening intelligence-led policing, and building internal confidence between law enforcement and the public,” he added.
He further stressed that the PCRC would remain a key stakeholder in the administration’s police reform agenda, particularly through youth empowerment and its support for police commands nationwide.
“Through youth empowerment initiatives and support of police commands nationwide, the PCRC has significantly enhanced public engagement in security governance,” he said.
Geidam assured that the ministry, alongside other stakeholders, would continue to bolster community-based policing structures.
The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Kayode Egbetokun, also spoke at the event through the FCT Commissioner of Police, Adewole Saka. He described the PCRC’s achievements over the past four decades as substantial contributions to national security.
“We believe that security is a shared responsibility, and it is through partnerships like this we can truly build a safer and more united Nigeria,” the I-G said.
He praised the committee’s leadership for their dedication and reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to strengthening its collaboration with the PCRC.
Also speaking at the event, Mrs Mariam Mohammed, National Coordinator of the NGO Lift For Citizen Development and Advancement (LICDA), described the PCRC as a key intervention in public security.
She pledged her organisation’s partnership with the committee to enhance trust and dialogue within communities.
“We will be organising awareness campaigns on youths’ rights and responsibilities, and training for the rank and file,” she said.
She also revealed plans to train paralegals to guide the public on human rights and best practices in engaging law enforcement.
Earlier, PCRC National Chairman, Alhaji Mogaji Olaniyan, expressed appreciation to the I-G and other security agencies for their sustained support.
“We are here to support the police, as the Federal Government alone cannot shoulder all security responsibilities. There is a need for state interventions,” he noted.
Olaniyan urged corporate leaders and organisations to emulate Dangote’s support for the police and called on communities to share critical information with security operatives.
“This year’s anniversary aims to recap successes, challenges, and solutions developed over the past three decades,” he added.
(NAN)