The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) says it will train more than 1,000 youth on security vigilance and intelligence gathering in Zaria next year.

The PCRC aational chairman, Ibrahim Olaniyan, disclosed this while addressing PCRC members on Monday in Zaria.

Mr Olaniyan said the training would also include the application of modern technology on crime detection, and community policing.

“Youth are agents of change in our society today, as such their role is unquantifiable,’’ the chairman said.

He said the objective of the training was to encourage the younger generation into community policing, its operational based and practices.

“It is also meant to assist police in ensuring a crime-free society,’’ Mr Olaniyan said.

According to him, a committee will be set up under the PCRC youth mobilisation and awareness programmes to work out modalities of the training.

“Our choice of Zaria for the flag-off of the training is based on the concentration of academic institutions and its strategic location in the North,’’ he said.

Mr Olaniyan, however, explained that PCRC has recognised the potential values of Nigerian youth in combating criminal activities, which must be utilised for the benefit of communities.

“It is sad to note that today, sponsors of criminal activities use the strength of our youth to perpetrate their evil acts, we must stop them forthwith’,” the chairman said.

On Zaria area command, the chairman said his visit was to strengthen the operations of the command and reorganise its structure in line with the constitution of the PCRC.

“I don’t normally visit area command except when it’s necessary, Zaria command is important to Kaduna state and the nation, as such, it must be put in order,’’ he noted.

Earlier, the representative of police area commander, CSP Abdurrahaman Idris, said the national chairman’s visit to the command signified his commitment to the course of community policing in Nigeria.

“I feel delighted and encouraged that your coming marks the beginning of a new PCRC in this command, we are ready to support you,’’ he assured.

 (NAN)