By; RALPH OKHIRIA, Benin.
The Edo state government is proposing a bill seeking to amend the laws establishing neighbourhood watch in the state.
The alteration is expected to be couched in an executive bill to be sent to the state House of Assembly at a date yet to be announced after due consultation with relevant stakeholders.
Governor Godwin Obaseki disclosed this when the 4-Brigade Commander of the Nigerian Army, Brig-General Ibrahim Garba paid him a courtesy call in Government House, Benin City.
He said training of the staff of the security outfit was mandatory in order to meet contemporary challenges.
“We have decided to revamp our neighbourhood watch. We are renaming it. We are going to ask the state House of Assembly to look at the bill.
“We are putting our resources to ensure that it accomplish the task of local Community policing”, he said.
Obaseki noted that the security plan would help to fortify the security architecture which is under the control of the Federal government.
Describing the influx of out of school children bestriding some major streets in Benin City, the state Capital as unacceptable, Obaseki said urgent steps would be taken to address the menace.
Earlier, Brig-General Ibrahim Garba, the 4-Brigade Commander of the Nigerian Army, had pledged his support for the state government alongside other issues, particularly security matters.
