Members of the newly established private security outfit, Nigeria Neighbourhood Watch (NNHW), have been charged to operate within the confines of the law that established the outfit under the new Police Reform Act.
The charge was given by the Commissioner of Police, Bauchi State Police Command, Auwal Musa Mohammed, while inaugurating the National Executive members of the NNW who will run the affairs of the organization in the country.
The CP was represented at the occasion by CSP Halimon Simon, charging the EXCO members to ensure respect for human rights and dignity, treating people as innocent until proven otherwise.
Auwal Musa warned them not to go beyond their duty areas, as prescribed in the law, and to work in synergy with all sister security agencies to assist in reducing the rate of crime and criminality in their respective communities.
According to him, “As members of a volunteer security outfit, your duty is to monitor, observe, and report to the Police any suspicious movements or activities of people around your communities for prompt action.”
The CP added, “You’re not allowed to make arrests, detain, or prosecute any suspect, but only where such is necessary, and you are to immediately hand over to the relevant authorities for further investigations.”
“You should ensure that you don’t recruit bad elements among your members. Make sure you recruit trusted and worthy individuals with good track records,” he stressed.
“Lastly, I, therefore, enjoin you not to use the uniforms as a source of your income. Instead, engage in something to help meet your daily life needs. You should desist from any wrongdoing because you’ll be prosecuted if found wanting and guilty,” CP reiterated.
Auwal Musa Mohammed then used the medium to congratulate the group for the successful inauguration of its National EXCO members.
In his speech, the new General Commander, who is the pioneer General Commander, Ismail Shuaibu, pledged to enhance their duties through effective monitoring and surveillance in collaboration with the Police and sister security agencies in fighting against activities of crime and criminality in the County.
He also mentioned that the General Meeting and Conference were the first of its kind since the introduction of the group under Community Policing by the then former Inspector General of Police, MD Yusuf in the Year 1975 and were officially established by former IG Mike Mbama Okiro under “Force Order No. 1/2007 with a total membership of not fewer than 42,000 across 20 states of the Federation.
Those inaugurated are Alhaji Ismail Shuaibu as Commandant General; Alhaji A. Ahamed, Deputy Commandant General in charge of Admin and Finance; Alhaji Adam Umar Adam, Deputy Commandant General in charge of Operation and Commander, Kaduna State; Alhaji Yakubu M. Sa’ad, Deputy Commandant General, North and Commander, Bauchi State; Mr Cornelius N. Victor, Assistant Commandant General in charge of North Central and Alhaji Kabiru Garba Commander and Public Relations Officer, National Headquarters.
Aside from the inauguration of the new EXCO members, there was a presentation of Awards to deserving personalities.
