In Nigeria, just like in any other country in the world, public
safety and the security of the citizenry is a top priority for
politicians, specialist technocrats and members of the general public.
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan took charge of the affairs of the nation when it was bedeviled by the horrendous activities of militants in the Niger Delta, -- rampant armed robberies, pervasive incidents of murder and assassinations as well as other sundry crimes that created the feeling of a state of siege in much of the country.
The administration took steps to alter the situation for the better. It successfully tackled the militancy, restiveness and economic sabotage in the Niger Delta. Besides deploying the military and other security forces to contain the activities of the militants, the administration took other steps side by side with the military operations.
The Niger Delta Development Commission and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs were created to address the main grievances of the militants, reduce poverty among the people and mitigate the environmental degradation mainly caused by the operations of the oil and gas industry in the area.
The creative way in which an amnesty programme was proclaimed and implemented for militants that drop their weapons commanded the attention of the world and generated respect for our political leadership.
Today there is relative peace in the Niger Delta, thanks to the commitment of the federal government and other stakeholders in the peace process.
The hitherto restive youths are now engaged in various skills acquisition programmes; they are being trained as pilots, seamen, engineers, medical doctors, school teachers or technicians. Many of them have been absorbed into the country's security services and have become responsible members of the society.
Having secured the Niger Delta, the administration shifted its attention toward addressing the inadequacies that diminish the capacity of the security agencies in tackling the security challenges in a manner that meets public expectations.
The Nigeria Police Force, the first in line in terms of ensuring public safety and tackling crimes against persons and property, is being reformed.
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has not wavered in implementing the recommendations of the Police Reform Committee. as the government procured helicopters, armoured personnel careers, specialised surveillance vehicles, ambulances, heavy-duty trucks, speed boats, high-speed motor-cycles, police dogs and horses for the police to ensure that the Force has adequate logistics capacity for quick response to any eventuality.
A mass training and re-training programme was introduced to expose the ranks and file to new skills, tactics and superior knowledge designed to make them more effective in their primary duty of detecting and aborting crimes.
Many police personnel have been trained to manage the 2,000 security surveillance cameras installed in Abuja and Lagos.
The Police Training Colleges have been rehabilitated and re-equipped with an expanded syllabus for a more robust training of ranks and files. The Police Academy in Wudil, Kano state, has been upgraded to a degree awarding institute.
To improve their welfare, police barracks are being rehabilitated.
Their reward package has been reviewed; gallant officers get recognition and reward from the high command, while the next of kin of those who were felled in the line of duty get early payments to take care of their basic needs.
The N1.5 trillion Police Reform Trust Fund, which is to be jointly funded by the federal, state and local governments in the country, is paying for the special interventions.
The federal government has risen to the occasion in terms of tackling the multifarious security challenges facing the country. It has recorded success, which paved way for a peaceful celebration of Democracy Day 2013.
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan took charge of the affairs of the nation when it was bedeviled by the horrendous activities of militants in the Niger Delta, -- rampant armed robberies, pervasive incidents of murder and assassinations as well as other sundry crimes that created the feeling of a state of siege in much of the country.
The administration took steps to alter the situation for the better. It successfully tackled the militancy, restiveness and economic sabotage in the Niger Delta. Besides deploying the military and other security forces to contain the activities of the militants, the administration took other steps side by side with the military operations.
The Niger Delta Development Commission and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs were created to address the main grievances of the militants, reduce poverty among the people and mitigate the environmental degradation mainly caused by the operations of the oil and gas industry in the area.
The creative way in which an amnesty programme was proclaimed and implemented for militants that drop their weapons commanded the attention of the world and generated respect for our political leadership.
Today there is relative peace in the Niger Delta, thanks to the commitment of the federal government and other stakeholders in the peace process.
The hitherto restive youths are now engaged in various skills acquisition programmes; they are being trained as pilots, seamen, engineers, medical doctors, school teachers or technicians. Many of them have been absorbed into the country's security services and have become responsible members of the society.
Having secured the Niger Delta, the administration shifted its attention toward addressing the inadequacies that diminish the capacity of the security agencies in tackling the security challenges in a manner that meets public expectations.
The Nigeria Police Force, the first in line in terms of ensuring public safety and tackling crimes against persons and property, is being reformed.
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has not wavered in implementing the recommendations of the Police Reform Committee. as the government procured helicopters, armoured personnel careers, specialised surveillance vehicles, ambulances, heavy-duty trucks, speed boats, high-speed motor-cycles, police dogs and horses for the police to ensure that the Force has adequate logistics capacity for quick response to any eventuality.
A mass training and re-training programme was introduced to expose the ranks and file to new skills, tactics and superior knowledge designed to make them more effective in their primary duty of detecting and aborting crimes.
Many police personnel have been trained to manage the 2,000 security surveillance cameras installed in Abuja and Lagos.
The Police Training Colleges have been rehabilitated and re-equipped with an expanded syllabus for a more robust training of ranks and files. The Police Academy in Wudil, Kano state, has been upgraded to a degree awarding institute.
To improve their welfare, police barracks are being rehabilitated.
Their reward package has been reviewed; gallant officers get recognition and reward from the high command, while the next of kin of those who were felled in the line of duty get early payments to take care of their basic needs.
The N1.5 trillion Police Reform Trust Fund, which is to be jointly funded by the federal, state and local governments in the country, is paying for the special interventions.
The federal government has risen to the occasion in terms of tackling the multifarious security challenges facing the country. It has recorded success, which paved way for a peaceful celebration of Democracy Day 2013.
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