The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, has reiterated that addressing the mistrust between the Nigerian Police and the citizenry is crucial for combating insecurity and creating a safe environment for all and sundry. Alamutu made this disclosure while speaking at the 26th Annual Convention and 25th Annual Lecture Series, organised by the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta Alumni Association (FUNAABAS), with the theme: ‘Insecurity in Nigeria: The Mistrust Between Police and Citizenry’, held at the Red Chamber of the University.
According to him, security is a dynamic situation in which any entity such as a state or nation, could only ward-off threats to its deep-rooted values and interests by putting in place mechanisms of protecting persons, information and property against hostile persons, influences and actions. He stressed that rebuilding trust required a multifaceted approach, which encompasses community policing, accountability, human rights training, public awareness campaigns, public engagement and dialogue, stakeholders engagement, and adequate funding, saying by implementing these measures, to foster a stronger partnership between them.
The Chairman of the occasion and Senate Chairman, Committee on Appropriations, Senator Solomon Adeola (YAYI), who was represented by Prof. Tope Popoola of FUNAAB, said apart from football, “one thing that binds Nigerians together is the issue of insecurity, which cuts across every parts of the country,” while noting that the solution to this menace rested solely with the citizens. Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor of the University and Chief Host of the occasion, Prof. Olusola Kehinde, has revealed that FUNAAB had been receiving a lot of accolades, saying the institution was blessed with capable, dedicated and responsible leadership since inception. Earlier, the Global President of FUNAABAS, Dr. Olusegun Ogundiran, enjoined the alumni to come together as one big family to develop their alma mater.