West African Action Network against Small Arms (WAANSaon-Gernmental Organisation (NGO) is partnering with the Federal University of Lafia to improve security in communities around the university.
Martin Igwe, Regional First Vice President of WAANSA stated this during a stakeholders meeting at the Gandu community, with the representatives of the university on Saturday in Lafia.
Igwe explained that the partnership and intervention became necessary following rising security concerns in the Gandu community thereby threatening the lives and property of students and staff as well as the residents of the community.
He explained that the initiative would focus on intelligence sharing, community sensitisation, installation of solar-powered streetlights in dark spots, and training of community vigilante groups in modern security practices among others.
He noted that the corporation by the District Head of the area and his team, youths, vigilante was indeed a boost to WAANSA and they are encouraged to contribute towards tackling pockets of insecurity in the area.
The Rational Vice President stressed that they donated 30 whistles to the vigilante in the area following the complaint of insufficient whistles and promised to facilitate the installation of solar street lights in black spots to provide light at night.
He also appreciated the management of the Fulafia for giving stipends to members of the vigilante in the area to boost their morale to be committed to securing the area and providing intelligence to the security agencies for prompt response.
Also speaking, Madela Samuel representative of the Director of Environmental Safety, at the university applauded the group for their efforts towards complementing the institution and the government in safeguarding the lives of their students and staff.
He explained that already the university had been giving monthly stipends to about 200 vigilante members from the 11 communities surrounding the institution.
He promised that the university was already working towards the upward review of the stipends of the vigilante members to boost their morale.
“Our students and staff live in these communities and we cannot secure them in isolation therefore, partnership with well-meaning Nigerians and organisations will help us build a safer environment for learning, research, and peaceful coexistence,” he added.
Speaking on behalf of the community, Abdullahi Mohamed and Abdulsalam Abdullahi, District Head and Youth leader of the area appreciated the NGO and the management of the university for their efforts towards addressing the security concerns affecting the area.
The duo however, appealed to the institution to offer employment opportunities to some of their people who had obtained different academic certificates as part of their corporate social responsibilities to make them contribute meaningfully to the development of the area. (NAN).