Against the backdrop of recurrent kidnapping incidents in Ogun State, the Commissioner of Police (CP) in the State has appealed for the support of residents to end incessant kidnappings, cultism and other criminal activities in the State.
The Commissioner, Lanre Bankole, who made the appeal during the induction of Asiwaju of Orile Imo, Olakunle Olalekan, as the patron of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Ogun state chapter, stressed the need for residents of the state to work together with the police, especially in the area of intelligence gathering, to rid the state of crime.
TheFact Nigeria reports that in the last three weeks, no fewer than 10 people have been kidnapped in Obada Oko area of Abeokuta. In addition, no less than 8 persons, out of which 3 are teenagers and 4 are students, have been arrested by police in the State for crimes ranging from robbery, murder dnd assault, among others.
But, while reacting to increasing criminal activities in the state, Bankole said the police can only perform their duties well if members of the public are willing to support them with credible information, insisting that only effective community policing can guarantee the safety of lives and property.
Bankole, who was represented by the Area Commander of Adatan divisional headquarters, ACP Uduak Itah, said that the Police needed the support of the people in fighting crime, adding that, “we cannot do anything without intelligence from the people”.
“We are going to be relying on credible intelligence given to us by members of the public in our policing strategy. This is the only way for us to achieve a safe and secured community, not just within Abeokuta, but the entire Ogun state.
“Ogun police command is community policing compliance. We are ready to serve the people, but for us to do this effectively, we need the support of the people”, Bankole said.
Corroborating the commissioner, the National Vice Chairman of PCRC in SouthWest, Ibraheem Olaniyan, said, the police cannot work effectively without the help and cooperation of the people of the community.
In his acceptance speech, Olalekan called on both the Federal and State governments to always support security agencies with equipment in fighting crime.
He assured the police of the continued support of PCRC in crime fighting, saying, “I want to charge police officers to continue to do their best despite the various challenges confronting them.”
“I know through community policing, there will be a solution to some of the security challenges we have in the country.”
