Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin-Kebbi
Emir of Gwandu and Chairman of Council of Chiefs, Kebbi State, Alhaji Muhammadu Iliyasu Bashar, has urged Nigerians to embrace community policing to complement efforts security agencies in the state.
The Emir stated this at the Presidential Banquet Hall, in Birnin-Kebbi, during the 5th anniversary and launch of N150 million appeal fund for building office accommodation and acquire of working equipment for the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), in Kebbi State .
The royal father ,who was represented by the Wazirin Gwandu, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar, noted that security was paramount in achieving development in the country and charged community members to organise themselves by engaging in community policing to complement efforts of the police and other security agencies.
According to Emir, “Security is important in our lives, no security no development, hence the need for more community involvement in maintaining security of our communities.
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“Members of the community are part of us, their involvement is important because they know their environment just like the vigilante who knows nook and crannies of the community.
“All security agencies should be assisted in doing their work,” he said.
In his remark, the National Commander of VGN, Alhaji Ali Sokoto, commended both the Kebbi State Government and Gwandu Emirate for supporting his association, while stressing that his members had been trained to shun corruption, uphold the truth and work in collaboration with security agencies.
Sokoto disclosed that the bill to officially formalise rebranded VGN has been before President Muhammadu Buhari for his consideration and ordered the State chapter of VGN to increase its members in the state from 8,317 in order to beef up security in Kebbi State.
Governor Atiku Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State, represented by the Chairman of State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), called on the Vigilante Group of Nigeria to form a synergy with the other security agencies in order to have a smooth and peaceful conduct of the forthcoming 2019 general elections in the state and Nigeria as a whole.