Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta
Ogun State Police Command yesterday solicited the support of residents of the state in ending incessant kidnappings, cultism and other criminal activities in the state.
The Commissioner of police, Lanre Bankole appealed to residents of the state to work together with the police, especially in the area of intelligence gathering to rid the state of crime.
Bankole spoke during the induction of Asiwaju of Orile Imo, Olakunle Olalekan as the patron of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Ogun state chapter.
He spoke against the backdrop of recurrent kidnapping incidents in the state, especially in Abeokuta, the state capital.
In the last three weeks, no fewer than 10 people have been kidnapped by gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen in Obada Oko area of Abeokuta.
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.
The Commissioner who was represented by the Area Commander of Adatan divisional headquarters, ACP Uduak Itah said, “We need the support of the people in fighting crime. 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.”
In his acceptance speech, Olalekan called on both the Federal and state governments to always support security agencies with equipments 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.”
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.
“Security is not the business of uniformed personnel alone, we need everybody. With the support of the people, I believe the police will get the desired result.
“We are doing a lot by providing necessary information because information is very vital and that is the reason why we are bringing everybody onboard. We have the youth wing of PCRC, we the women wing and we are also bringing in the elites to join PCRC.
“Apart from giving adequate information to all the security agencies, we are also providing the necessary equipment they need for them to fight crime effectively,” Olaniya said.