Critics Of State, Community Policing, Enemies Of Progress — Dalung

Former Minister of Sports, Barr. Solomon Dalung, has described those opposing proposed state and community policing as enemies of progress who should be ignored.

Dalung stated this in an interview with LEADERSHIP at his Sabo Barki residence in Jos, Plateau State capital at the weekend.

He also argued that such people opposing the proposed security arrangement do not mean well for the people at the grassroots.

Dalung maintained that large chunk of federal police were attached to Very Important Personalities (VIPs) traveling in long convoy, while people in the remote communities were left at the mercy of bandits and other criminal elements.

“This category of people (VIPs) are the one opposing the concept of state police. Bandits appear to be living peacefully in their enclave among themselves than ordinary citizens of this country. All of them are carrying arms. Living together peacefully without molesting themselves,” he said.

He pointed out that if people in the rural communities too were allowed to carry arms to defend themselves when the need arise, nobody will molest them.

“If I have my AK-47 and the bandit has his own too, we will look at ourselves with respect”, Dalung said.

Reacting to the alleged claim by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, that security has improved by 90 percent and peace and security restored to some places, Dalung said, “For NSA, security has improved in terms of budgetary allocation of N3.10 trillion. So the NSA is speaking from the perspective of the availability of resources.”

The former minister also added that, “The NSA is not saying that Nigerians are secured. If not, how can a Journalist jumped through the window of her apartment in Katampe which is also a diplomatic zone when armed men invaded her Estate?”

According to Dalung, no place is presently secured in the country, noting that Abuja, the nation’s capital was not even safe.