Support security initiatives at community level, HHRC urges Nigerians

The National Human Right Commission (NHRC) has urged Nigerians to support all efforts and initiatives meant to boost security of lives and property at the community level.

NHRC Zonal Co-ordinator (South-East), Mrs. Uche Nwokocha, made the call during the inauguration of members of Community Safety Programme (CSP) of Ngwo Community in Enugu North Local Government Area in Enugu State on Thursday.

Nwokocha said that security remained everybody’s business; adding that answers to the present day security can only be achieved through a collective effort.

“The essence of the inauguration is to get dedicated people within the community who will work closely with law enforcement agencies to enhance the current security level.

“It will be a bottom-up approach, where the community people have to do more and take more responsibility to see that their community and neighbourhood is well secured.

“As you know, the government cannot do it all alone but with the support of the community more can be achieved,’’ she said.

Mr Larry Oguego, Team Leader, Nigeria Policing Programme (NPP), Enugu State said that security of lives and property was the most vital of human needs and needed collective and concerted efforts.

Oguego said that those, who were inaugurated for the task of CSP,would be doing it voluntarily as their contributions to the security,and development of the community.

“What people do not know is that security is what other human endevours build on; because you cannot buy and sell or even do other human activities without security in place in the first place.

“That is why we are calling on more Nigerians to join the bottom-up approach to security, which NPP is formulating for the country, for a better and secured Nigerian communities and neioghbourhoods,’’ he said.

The Traditional Ruler of Ngwo Community, Igwe Innocent Ayalogu, noted that he was happy as his community was used as one of the pilot communities for the project in the state.

Ayalogu said that the involvement and sensitization of everyone in a community about security matters, community surveillance and channel to report any suspected object, persons and issues would definitely go along to bring lasting security in his community.

“I have to thanked the Inspector-General of Police; our commissioner of Police, Mr Mohammed Danmallam and those in NPP for starting this beautiful programme from my community.

“We will co-operate and give the CSP the needed support in the community for it to succeed,’’ he assured.

The CSP is the community version of the NPP launched recently to further push the community policing initiative of the police closer to the grassroots or communities.