In a bid to address kidnapping, robbery and other violent crimes across the country, the Federal Government will soon announce a new policy on community policing.

The policy, according to government, will involve retired Inspectors-General of Police whose experience and expertise will be exploited to address the security challenges in the country.

Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo announced this during the launching of a book, ‘Law on prevention and detection of crimes by the police in Nigeria,’ written by a retired Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase.

Osinbajo who spoke through Special Adviser on Political Matters, Babafemi Ojudu, said the current security system was not efficient enough to address the security challenges facing the nation.

He said, “There is no way we can continue running the police as constituted, very soon, we would come out with a policy on community policing. For our brothers who have retired as IGs, they would have roles to play very soon.

Sitting down in Abuja, an IG policing every part of the country and being in charge of the welfare of all policemen, there are concerns and challenges, but the challenges are supposed to be addressed.”

Osinbajo said the fear about decentralisation of the police was unnecessary and could be addressed, saying the same concern was expressed before the granting of private television and radio licences.

He encouraged the elite to allow their children to join the force to improve the quality of the personnel.

Speakers at the event including current and former security officials also called for implementable reforms in the Nigeria Police Force for enhanced law enforcement.

Transmuting 35 years of policing experience into an intellectual property, Arase said knowledge, more than sheer force, must define Nigeria policing to prevent crimes.

Arase called for a knowledge-driven policing system, as he announced that proceeds of the book sales would go towards extending scholarship opportunities to children of policemen that have demonstrated commendable urge for intellectualism in line with the underlying motivation of the publication.

Towards this end,” he said, “I have already incorporated the Solomon Arase Foundation which will coordinate this initiative on a sustainable basis.

The Foundation will also act as a platform for the organisation of Annual Solomon Arase Strategic Police Management Lecture Series for Senior Serving and Retired Police and Criminal Justice Managers in Nigeria and across the African Continent.

This is being conceptualised to further my zeal for the strengthening of criminal justice delivery in the Continent through professional networking and capacity building.”

Arase expressed thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for being a motivational personality in his life. He said, “It remains my fervent prayers that Almighty God perfects his health and grants him strength needed to sustain his service to our Fatherland.”

Arase’s book was reviewed by Prof. David Badaiki, and dignatories at the event included representives of Services Chiefs, Senior Advocates of Nigeria – Chief Bayo Ojo, Dr Wale Babalakin, and Dr Muiz Banire; the Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Babatunde Fowler; Special Media Adviser to the President, Mr Femi Adesina; Haliru Jika; Ogun State government representatives led by Secretary to the State Government Taiwo Adeoluwa and CP Olayinka Balogun rtd; representative of the IGP, DIG Joshak Habila; retired DIG Marvel Akpoyibo, DIG Sotonye Wakama; Cardinal John Onayekan; Amb. Rabiu Dabiri and Amb. X. Imoren.