Government worried over rise in violent crime

The Nigerian government said at the weekend that it was worried by an increase in violent crime and promised “far-reaching security strategies” to try to halt the trend, a daily newspaper reported on Monday. The strategies are part of a five-year development plan for the police that is to begin this year and under which the force will receive arms and ammunition, communications equipment and professional training, ‘The Guardian’ reported. The government has already bought vehicles and equipment worth the equivalent of some US $23 million to allow 24-hour patrolling of areas designated as crime “flashpoints,” the newspaper said. Police Affairs Minister David Jemibewon blamed former military governments for the force’s “unimpressive and lack-lustre” fight against crime. He said prolonged military rule had resulted in a badly equipped, underfunded, understaffed, ineffective and demoralised police force, which, he added, resulted in corruption and indiscipline. Jemibewon said the civilian government had recruited 33,000 people into the police force, which numbers some 134,000 for a population of over 110 million, Radio Kaduna reported.