Youths demand for dissolution of Special Anti-Robbery Squad has paved way for effective community policing, says Deputy Inspector General of Police

Judith Omon in Abeokuta

The Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of South-West, Adeleye Oyebade has admitted that the sweeping protest against the operations of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) has pave way for the establishment of State and community policing.

Penpushing reports that the police boss made this known on Tuesday at a Peace Consolidation meeting with youths, leaders, members of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and other stakeholders to address the violence protest in the state held in Abeokuta,Ogun State Capital.

The host Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun was also on the same page with the Deputy Inspector General of Police, stressing that Nigeria is ripe enough for community policing, adding that only community and state policing can address the demands of the youths

Penpushing further reports that, Abiodun pointed out that that the police brutalirty  protest has renewed the call for the reconsideration of the state police and community police apparatus, adding that  the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu had began the process of reforming the police.

The Governor in a related development disclosed that he has initiated a training and youth development programme of 250 youths in each local government on various projects such as bricklaying, Welding, Barbing, carpentry.

Penpushing also reports that, thus will attract paying them a monthly stipend and also giving them employments after the training and a monthly allowance and cleared the doubt on the essence of the meeting.

The Governor explained that the meeting was not initiated for a youth parley but a peace consolidation stakeholders meeting and that measures are put in place for a personal meeting with the youth and government scheduled to hold soon.

Penpushing reports that, the Deputy Inspector General of Police recalled that President Muhammed Buhari has assured the youths of listening loud and clear to the yearnings of the youths, hence, the need for them to exercise patience.

The police boss said that the reform the youths clamoured for is already on the table, disclosing that he is in charge of research and planning on community policing, thereby saying community policing will involve everyone and the youths will be brought in to contribute their quota as they are the highest number in the community

Penpushing further reports that, Oyebade emphasized that the way forward is community policing, and stated needs to get the ideas of the youths in policing, with a pledge that invitation is being extended to them and all stakeholder to come onboard and work with police

The Deputy Inspector General of Police disclosed that the proposal of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) to have leaders in every division from the National Association of Nigeria Students and Youth leaders have also been approved

Meanwhile, the discourse was centred around the fallout of the police brutality protest and ways forward, while in attendance with contributions include; traditional rulers, members of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), religious leaders, students, leaders of transport unions among others.