The federal government has approved N13.3 billion for the take-off of community policing nationwide.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who presided over the meeting in which the approval was made, said the decision was taken after a report by the adhoc committee on security and policing headed by Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, was submitted to the Council.

Osinbajo further directed the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), Dr. Kayode Fayemi, and two of his colleagues to meet with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha; the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed; and the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, to coordinate the proper utilisation of the fund.

A statement released by Osinbajo’s spokesman, Mr. Laolu Akande read;

“Accordingly, the committee would be meeting further as the need arises to update the council on the progress being made to address insecurity and criminality in the country.
“Council was informed that the president has approved a sum of N13.3 billion for the take-off of community policing in the country.
“The VP then asked that a small team comprising the NGF chair, two additional governors, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Finance Minister and the Inspector General of Police should meet to ensure that the federal government’s funding is well utilised.

Among the recommendations made to the council was;

“States and FCT should engage the services of the respected community influencers such as the heads of ‘area boys,’ market women, and villagers in disseminating the same message to the grassroots using different modes/media that are common to such people and could easily attract their attention.”