100 men and women are being trained in the Onitsha Community, Anambra State. They are being prepared to serve as members of a neighborhood security watch.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the training began on Thursday. It is being sponsored by the Chairperson of Onitsha North Local Government.
The council chair, Patrick Agha-Mba, stated that the major purpose of the training was to equip participants with skills to combat crime within their neighborhood.
He went further to say that it would create an active security network in the various communities of the metropolitan city.
Mr Agha-Mba said “It is also aimed at providing job opportunities to the youth.
“Engaging them on crime control will reduce their participation in crimes and other irregularities within the neighborhood,”
The council boss also stated that the neighborhood security watch was created for the purpose of complimenting the efforts of the state government which had made security it’s priority.
The President-General of Onitsha Improvement Union, Chike Ekweogwu also spoke at the event. He described the training as a welcome development to the residents of Ontisha and environs.
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Mr Ekweogwu urged the participants to be of good behavior and see their duty as a contribution to the development of Onitsha.
He said,“You are not trained to become terrors in the community but to guard and protect life and property within your neighborhoods,”
Eloka Egbunike, Governor Willie Obiano’s aide on youth matters, promised the public on the support of the state government to the Neighborhood Security Watch.
Mr Egbunike encouraged the participants to be committed to the training as they were privileged to be chosen from among the youth that applied.
The coordinator of the Anambra Vigilance Group is Charles Osegbue. He is a retired assistant commissioner of police. He stated that the participants were all mentally and physically prepared for the training which would last for three weeks.
What prompted some states and communities to take their protection as well as the protection of their properties with utmost concern is the security challenge being faced in Nigeria.
