The Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, has said effective policing is everyone’s responsibility.
He stated this during the Imo State Police Command and Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC)–Ohaji Community Security Stakeholders Summit in the Ohaji-Egbema Local Governmrnt Area, Imo State.
Uzodimma, represented by the Chief Principal Security Officer to the Governor, Shaba Adamu Gboyako noted that there could not be effective policing without communities’ involvement.
He said, “The government will continue to provide adequate support in fighting crimes and criminality in the state.
“The police must to treat information provided by community stakeholders with confidence and refuse to become tools in the hands of overzealous individuals.
“Also, members of the vigilante organisations should not create additional sources of fear and injustice in the discharge of their duties.”
The state Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, urged the community stakeholders to see themselves as police officers and become co-stakeholders in fighting crimes.
The CP, represented by one Mr. Ota Kelechi called on stakeholders to be intentional in supporting the police to discharge their duties as security is everyone’s business.
The Divisional Police Officer, Ohaji police division, Omadachi Lawrence, said, “Police cannot do it alone without the community members. There should be peaceful coexistence for peace to thrive.
“PCRC remains and plays critical role, provides constructive engagement and intelligence gathering in the fight against crime. Lasting peace can only be achieved when all work together”.
He urged stakeholders to discourage conduct that may jeopardise community peace, calling on traditional rulers, youth leaders, religious leaders, landlords to guide and warn their children and wards to stay away from crimes and criminality.