The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Idris Ibrahim, on
Friday expressed delight at Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s efforts in supporting
the Nigerian police towards improving security in the state.
The police chief spoke through the Deputy Inspector General
of Police in charge of the South Eastern Region, Mr. Valentine Ntomchukwu, who
was at the Government House, Enugu on courtesy visit.
Mr. Ntomchukwu informed the governor that he was in Enugu
state on a familiarization visit, to strengthen its community policing
initiatives and to review the operational strategies of the Nigerian police as
well as to identify the challenges confronting the force with a view to
proffering solutions to solving them in order to further reduce crime and
criminality in all the states in the region.
He also described Enugu as “a very peaceful and friendly
state” not only to the police but also to all law-abiding citizens, and
solicited further support of the state government to the command to enable it
to discharge its responsibilities effectively.
“Your Excellency, from your pedigree and from what I have
been reading about you, we are impressed. We are equally optimistic that you
will continue to support the state police command and by extension, the police
high command”, the DIG said.
In his response, Gov. Ugwuanyi commended the Inspector
General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim, for the initiative, which he said “clearly
underscores the commitment of the Police to enhance peace and security in the
region and the country in general”.
The governor noted the importance of security for the
stability, growth and development of the society, stressing that “without it,
engagement in meaningful social, political and economic activities, will be
virtually impossible”.
“Enugu State is regarded as one of the safest and peaceful
States in Nigeria and this is a result of the strategic and exemplary
partnership that the state government has maintained with security agencies in
the State as well as other initiatives designed to involve the citizenry in
security efforts.
“It is certainly in our interest that this happy state of
affairs is sustained and that crime and criminality are reduced to the barest
minimum in Enugu State.
“We, therefore, whole heartedly, welcome the current
measures embarked by the Nigerian Police to achieve this objective and we
reassure you of our usual support and cooperation towards that end”, Governor
Ugwuanyi added.
Meanwhile, Police Chief who later met with a cross section
of residents, including representatives of the Hausa/Fulani communities, called
for a synergy between them and security agencies.
He said he was undertaking the tour across the five
South-East States to find lasting solutions to issues of kidnapping, violent
crimes along the high ways and clashes between farmers and herdsmen.
“I came here to seek your support, the entire residents of
Enugu State because the police cannot do it alone, where there is a gap let us
fill it.
“Enugu State has been relatively peaceful but we still have
some issues of violent crime and invasion of communities by herdsmen. The State
Government is trying but we need to support its efforts.
“There is no way people living together will not have
conflict, but a situation where it leads to loss of lives in farms, villages,
we can’t take that. We have to manage these conflicts”, the DIG said.
Harping on the essence of synergy among the various groups,
NtomChukwu stressed that police must partner with local communities to solve
problems of crime and criminality.
He said, “crime prevention can only be done when people know
that it should not be left for the police alone. Community policing is akin to
the broken window theory; it can lead to attracting more crime and criminality
in the area.
“Police cannot do it alone; they depend on Church leaders,
traditional rulers and other stakeholders to enforce peace because it is
critical to development.”
The DIG had earlier met behind close doors with the rank and
file at the Enugu State Police Command, where he said his visit was to gauge
their feelings on the operations of the command.
By Emmanuel Uzodinma
