ENUGU STATE GOVERNMENT KICK STARTS 7-DAY TRAINING FOR NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

The Deputy Commander while speaking to journalists during his check at the training ground, informed that the current phase of the training is for Oji River Council Area, adding, “We are undergoing a 7-day Police training here to equip us with updated skills on how to function effectively in protecting lives and property of our respective communities, in partnership with the Police.

“The Police, SSS and Civil Defense officers are here and we hear that the army will be here, as well, on a later date. This training phase covers all the 20 wards in Oji River Local Government Area, with 20 neighbourhood men drawn from each ward, totaling 400 of us,” he said.

The Deputy Training Officer (DTO) in charge of Oji River, DSP Okonkwo on his party, told journalists that the training was aimed at inculcating modern Policing skills and practices in the trainees, and commended  the State Government for the initiative/

Penpushing further reports that Okonkwo noted that the programme “will enable the neighbourhood men to function like we do,” adding that it will as well help to boost the quality of policing activities in Oji River Council area and environs.

The Deputy Superintendent of Police described the progress of the exercise as appreciable, adding, “so far, so good. From what I have observed so far, the result would be fantastic. I think the greatest advantage of this exercise is that it would improve synergy between the Police and the neighbourhood Watch men.

“We cannot be everywhere. These men have been of immense assistance to us. Without them, I do not think that the level of security in this area would be up to the present standard. They have been working hand-in-hand with us to improve security and with programmes like this; the security standard in this state will continue to get better”.

Penpushing also reports that, one of the trainers, Inspector Cyril Awah,  said the exercise was at general drills stage,  after which the lecture phase would follow, adding that  that number of resource persons had been lined up to take the trainees through that stages.

 “The men are coping appreciably; they are very happy about the training and they are complying impressively. They are in good form, they have exhibited significant potentials and we are certain that this exercise will yield expected results,” he said.

The Coordinator of Neighbourhood Watch in Oji South, Emeka Sam Anyalaba, pointed out that the initiative is commendable and should be emulated by the other South-East Governors, stating that through such measure, security challenges would be fully contained in the entire zone.

“With this, Governor Ugwuanyi has laid a commendable foundation. I commend his vision and I urge other State Governors in the South-East and beyond to emulate him. The trainees exhibit a lot of energy, eagerness and sense of responsibility’.

‘They are coping with instructions and I can assure you that after this training, these men would make security management easier.  All that is needed to keep it afloat and steady velocity is continued motivation, and they are good to go,” he said.

Penpushing recalled   that Governor Ugwuanyi recently acquired 360 security vehicles, in furtherance of his firm response to recent security challenges in the State, and while unveiling the vehicles to journalists at the Government House, pointed out that they were fully equipped with modern security gadgets.

The Governor added that the facilities were part of his administration’s decisive move to firm up security throughout the State, adding that the vehicles which included 100 INNOSON Hillux vans,would be distributed to the principal Federal Security Agencies.

Penpushing also reports that, the Governor said  260 Toyota brand space wagons  would be used for community policing/Forest Guard operations, in line with the recent resolutions of the South-East Governors Forum (SEGF).