By Godwin Otang
The Nigerian Police, Cross River State Command, Ikom Division, in collaboration with the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Cross River State chapter, has initiated a community policing strategy to address security threats and assist in protecting local communities from crime.
The NYCN Ikom Chapter identified Nde, Nta/Nsele, and Alesi in Ofutop-2 wards as high-risk areas susceptible to kidnapping, communal clashes, and theft. These concerns led to multiple stakeholder engagements, including the State Commissioner of Police, CP Gyogon Grimah, and the NYCN in Ikom, resulting in the decision to implement a community-based policing approach.
Comrade Kenneth Kajang Neji, Chairman of NYCN Ikom Chapter, explained that the community police personnel underwent extensive training and orientation by the Nigerian Police on human rights, the rule of law, and various security operations.
He said their main function is to provide information and support to the Nigerian Police at the community level.
Neji emphasized that the recruits are subject to routine checks and ongoing training. “We have detailed records of all the recruits because they are also subject to the law; no one is above the law, and they will be held accountable if they deviate from their assigned duties,” he added.
The State Commissioner of Police CP Gyogon Grimah confirmed the initiative, stating that the recruits are not authorized to operate independently but must always be accompanied by Nigerian Police officers.
“All those young men are selected by leaders and stakeholders from their communities. After their selection, they’re trained by respective Division Police Officers (DPOs) in their areas of jurisdiction.
“After the orientation, they go back to their communities; there are not allowed to operate independent of the Police. Every of their outings must be in company of the police. Any of them that go our to do anything without the knowledge or presence of the Police it will be an illegality, and we have told them all these, we are in control and they’re all aware.”
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