Imaan Suleiman Ibrahim: Promoting Community Engagements To End Insecurity

During her last birthday in April, President Bola Tinubu described her as a consummate “administrator and policy expert” while wishing her many more years of service to Nigeria. She is certainly deserving of the presidential accolades.

The Minister of Police Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman–Ibrahim, is a firm believer in the power of dialogue and engagement to resolve conflicts! She’s adept at using all forms of engagements to push policies and initiatives that are beneficial to the people and promoted by government.

This is what she’s been doing since President Tinubu appointed her as the Minister of State for Police Affairs. She’s engaged in tours of police formations across the country, inspecting facilities and talking about improving the welfare of officers to enhance their professionalism.

She’s initiated a Ministry of Police Affairs Citizens Town Hall Engagement meetings where she interacts with police personnel and the civil society to brainstorm on challenges of insecurity and how to overcome them.

Her engagement meetings are always well attended, and in one of such meetings at Lagos Continental Hotel on 11 December, 2023- a few months after she was appointed- she declared that her focus is to localise the fight against insecurity.

“Recognising that security is inherently local, our approach must reflect an appreciation for the distinct characteristics, challenges, and strengths of each community,” she stated. “Security is local, and we must acknowledge and embrace the unique dynamics of each community in our pursuit of a safer nation.”

The focus on finding local solutions has led minister to different communities across the country, meeting officers and residents with a view to making policing more community-centric. She has promoted collaborative efforts between law enforcement and local communities to address security challenges, foster trust, and ensure the safety and well-being of citizens.

This is what has shone in most of social media posts since she took office. In one of such posts on X in November last year, she stated:

“During my visit to the Kaduna State Command, I toured the command headquarters and met with Commissioner of Police, CP MY Garba. I commended his exceptional leadership in implementing community policing strategies and addressing insecurity.”

She has also shown empathy for police officers who have had to work under difficult conditions occasioned by poor welfare. In many of the police formations she had visited, interacting with policemen was part of itinerary.

She gleefully posts photos of her in company of different police officers wherever she visits, building confidence in government’s reform initiatives.

This is why she is usually devastated by news of kidnap of school children as it undermines the efforts of the government and the Nigerian Police Force.

After one of such kidnappings in January which resulted in the death of a student, she took to social media to share her grief, and resolve.

She stated on X: “We mourn the loss of one of the victims and stand united in our resolve to tackle such heinous acts. The safety and security of our citizens remain our top priority, and we will spare no effort in bringing the remaining hostages home.

“The government is fully committed to the swift and safe rescue of the victims. We are mobilizing all necessary resources and collaborating with law enforcement agencies to ensure the perpetrators face justice.”

As the Tinubu administration marks one year in office, Imaan Suleiman Ibrahim- the first female minister of state for police affairs- is undoubtedly one of the president’s foot soldiers selling the Renewed Hope Agenda.

– Suleiman writes from Abuja.