From: Bianca Iboma
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal , has re-affirmed his commitment to reduce crime rate in the state within three months.
Edgal made this statement during the maiden Town Hall meeting held at Club Arcade Hall, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.
He said that his plan was based on a police driven strategy and community policing partnership to tackle crime.
He said that residents’ lives and property were priorities for the police, saying that the people deserved safety in their environments.
“My strategy will be based on community policing which will increase the involvement of community members on how they will be policed” he stated
“It is all about partnership, decision making and accountability, partnership with security stakeholders will however form the core of my duties.
With a total breakdown of the various role security personnel would be playing in my mission to tackle crime, like cult, turbulence, robbery at night, neighbourhood crime which has increased drastically would be reduced and eradicated.
“I have ordered the DPO’s and Area Commanders to collaborate with community leaders, traditional rulers in their area on how they can secure their environment.
” I have set up a committee made up of credible civilians and partners even in the press. Stating that all matters that has to do with Police misconducts, and act of indiscipline would be investigated” he said.
“If the community must be safe then we must collaborate to win the trust of the masses. The trust of the citizens is key to everything we do.
Edgal added that his mission was to make Lagos the safest abode for people to do businesses and live in. “We have to restore the pride of the Police Force and make the people a friend of the Police.
The police boss also said that the Police had created security helpline means for quick response to those in distress.
He continued, “I will also partner closely with the informal policing sector, like vigilante groups that would aid the police in ensuring security and peace in the inner community within the state.
“Also, the issue of functional Police would be taken very serious as legal and operational guidelines for vigilante group would be established.
“One issue that is equally important to my mission is that the Vigilante group would be carried along and before any group spring forth, they must have approval from the Divisional Police Station in that locality,” he stated.
In his comment, Area Commander, Area ‘A’ Command in the state, ACP J.O . Akinyede, assured community leaders present at the meeting that measures would be taken by all the officers in the Area Command to adhere by the police commissioner’s directives.
Akinyede urged them to build harmonious relationship and continue to work in the fear of God. He said that they should corporate with the police and assured them that their various complains would be treated and solved accordingly, but would be in processes.