The Lagos State Government on
Wednesday reiterated its commitment to the prosecution of war against crime and
criminality, saying that it is an unrelenting war which the State would
continue to prosecute until all those who benefit from crime are brought to
book across the State..
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Drainage and Water Resources, Engr. Joe
Igbokwe who spoke at a Police Security/Stakeholders Community Town Hall
Meeting at Aja, Lagos said that the primary responsibility of every
government is to ensure the security of lives and properties of the
people which the present administration in Lagos State will not shied away
from.
He added that this is clearly discernible from the several policy actions and
pronouncements of the present administration, stressing that the state
government recently donated 120 patrol vans and 35 motorbikes to
the State Police command in conjunction with the Local Governments in the
state.
He explained that the symbolism of the presentation underscores the
determination of the administration not to abdicate its responsibility to its
constituents despite the fact that Policing as presently enshrined in the
Nigerian Constitution is an exclusive matter.
According to him, admittedly, the main function of the police is to enforce law
and order, safeguard lives and property but the nagging question agitating the
minds of everyone is how effectively has the Nigerian Police perform that
constitutionally assigned roles.
“We cannot continue to do the same thing all over the same way and expect to
get different results. Largely because of the ineffective crime detection
technique employed by the Police, several suggestions have been brought forward
on options to be considered”, he stated.
He said one of the options that gained traction is the Community policing which
is about engendering harmonious and systematic relationship between the police
and the entire people in the community in a more involved way.
He maintained that the role of the Police should not simply stop at law
enforcement but should also include tackling a huge range of community problems
adding that there has been a shift from traditional policing to community
policing with the Nigeria Police Force since year 2004 when the Nigeria Police
adopted community policing as a practical approach to police reforms.
He stated further that Nigerian Police Force was consistent in its effort to
bring about a new and professional policing that is capable of ensuring and
maintaining proper security of lives and property in Nigeria.
He said the community policing approach sought to focus on constructive
engagement with people who are the main beneficiaries of the police service
while seeking to renegotiate the agreement between the people and the police
towards making the community co-producers of justice and a quality police
force.
He charged the gathering to ponder over several questions which include, how
community policing can be improved, what level of effectiveness has been
achieved and what is the level of intelligence sharing between the security
agencies and the people.
“Why do we still have reports of
street gangs terrorizing residents without such information being relayed to
the Police before they start the gang wars. How supportive are our traditional
rulers and chiefs in the efforts to make community policing more effective and
secure our homes and neighbourhoods” he stated.
The Special Adviser maintained that community oriented policing is a proactive
measure that promotes curbing criminal act, he therefore charges all Lagosians
to feel free to bring their suggestions to the fore.
SIGNED
KUNLE ADESHINA
(A.D) PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND RESEARCH UNIT
MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER RESOURCES
SEPTEMBER . 25th, 2019