President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday approved N13.3 billion for the take-off of the Community Policing initiative as part of efforts to boost security nationwide.

Buhari disclosed this in Abuja at the opening of a two-day Mid-Term Ministerial Performance Review Retreat to assess progress made towards the achievement of the nine key priorities of his administration.

“We have also approved the sum of N13.3 billion for the take-off of the Community Policing initiative across the country, as part of measures adopted to consolidate efforts aimed at enhancing security nationwide,” he said.

“As part of the efforts towards strengthening our national security, we have increased investments in arms, weapons and other necessary equipment; expanded the National Command and Control Centre to nineteen states of the Federation; and established a Nigerian Police Trust Fund, which will significantly improve funding for the Nigeria Police Force.”

He also announced that the Ministry of Defence had been instructed to create a modest military-industrial complex for the local production of weapons to meet some of the requirements of the country’s armed forces.

The president explained that the establishment of the industrial complex would address Nigeria’s over-dependence on other countries for military equipment and logistics.

According to him, the project is being implemented under the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), a military department responsible for arms manufacture.

On other efforts to strengthen national security, the President said it was gratifying to note that Nigeria had received six A-29 Super Tucano.