•Ortom insists Nigerians be allowed to carry AK-47 rifles.
Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu says the N13 billion just approved by President Muhammadu Buhari for the take- off of community policing in the country will largely be used for training, sensitization and purchase of equipment.
Adamu warned vigilance and neighborhood watch groups against using the community policing programme to get involved in illegal possession of arms.
The IGP, speaking during a briefing by Police Affairs Minister Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi on his stewardship/one year anniversary of the re-establishment of the ministry, said much ground has been covered in getting community policing off the blocks.
His words, “Community policing is a strategy. It is not a new police structure that is being created but within the police we re-strategise and then bring in community based initiatives.
“The money is for implementation of the project. It is a process. We have started it in terms of we are going to do town hall sensitization. We are also doing training for the community police officers. We are going to buy all the equipment that is needed and then the process goes on this year, next year until everything is established.”
Also speaking on community policing on Friday, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State said the N13.5 billion approved by the Federal Government for the project will go a long way in the training of personnel.
Ortom also insisted that Nigerians be allowed to bear AK-47 for self-protection and defence in view of the general insecurity in the country.
