…… We need Traditional rulers to combat banditry, Kidnapping —AIG
The Assistant Inspector General of Police, zone-17 in-charge of Ondo and Ekiti States, Mr Etim Ene-Okon, on Thursday said traditional institution and leaders are vital to the realisation of community policing and national peace.
The AIG stated this in his office, Akure when he played host to the Asiwaju Ndigbo, Chief Ezeorji Titus-Umenweke and some igbo leaders from the state who paid him a familiariation visit.
According to the Assistant Inspector general of police, without traditional rulers, community leaders and general public it would be difficult for security agencies to combat cases of kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery and other crimes in the country.
Ene-Okon who commended the Asiwaju Ndigbo in Akure, Chief Titus-Umenweke for rally round igbo people to maintain the peace of the state capital, expressed the readiness of the police to partner various groups to achieve a crime-free society.
Ene-Okon reitarated it’s commitment to partner with any traditional rulers that to make police force archive the mandate giving by the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Okon, who explained that police had move from traditional way of policing to embrace community policing in entirety said traditional institutions played very major roles in peace of land.
According to him, Police is an institution and constitutional creation by the people of the country in section 214 and in section 215 is giving mandate while one of mandates is maintenance of law and order.
“Police is now account to the people, partner with people and one of the principal partner in community policing are the traditional institutions.
“So, by embracing community policing policing of land has been handed over to the people through partnership and accountability. I believe that community policing as expand by the inspector general of police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba is on course.
“Police stand to embrace any groups that would assist us in maintenance of law and order and such group will be welcome by the police, IG, and zone 17 because the partnership will help us to help the society and make it worth of living,” he said.
Earlier, Chief Ezeorji Umenweke, Asiwaju Ndigbo of Akure, said that the visit was official familirasation to the office of AIG zone 17 and work in tandem with the police by ensuring peace in Akure and state at large.
Chief Titus-Umenweke who solicited the support of the police authorities in protecting lives and property of Nigerians, assured that Ndigbo would be ready to assist security agencies to ensure peaceful coexistence among inhabitants of Akure kingdom.
Chief Titus-Umenweke also promised that his members would be ready to provide useful security information to reduce crimes in the state.
According to him, It is no longer news that our nation is facing a lot of insecurity challenges. Hence, it is now the sole responsibilities of all and sundry to ensure the safety of lives and properties.
The Asiwaju Ndigbo, who promised to ensure peaceful coexistence between Igbos, non Igbos and host community said he would remain loyal to the laws of the state and the paramount ruler of Akure, Oba Aladelusi Ogunlade, Deji of Akure.
“I the Asiwaju Ndi Igbo and my cabinet promise to work hand in hand with you and your intelligent officers to defuse any form of trouble or activities that may cause the breach of peace and security of lives and properties of people within our locality.
“We shall also be very ready to feed you with useful information as may be within our reach concerning any plot of banditry by any groups or persons aiming to cause mayhem since we are peace loving and law abiding citizens,” Chief Umenweke said.
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