The Police Command in
Edo says that community policing would soon commence in the state.
The Edo Commissioner for Police, CP Lawan Jimeta, disclosed
this in an interview with Newsmen in Benin on Thursday.
According to Jimeta that
community policing was one of the strategies of the present police
administration as ordered by President Mohammadu Buhari, which implementation
was expected to commence immediately.
He however said that in view of this the command within the
next couple of weeks would commence the implementation of the directive.
Jimeta added that community members committee would also be inaugurated to ensure the success of the policy.
He noted that the committee would comprise of
members from the various sector of the economy as the policy was aimed at
bringing the communities and police together.
The CP also disclosed that the concept of “Special
Constabulary” would also be introduced into the community policing.
He explained that the special constabularies would be people with proven track record of impeccable character, gainfully employed and be recommended and chosen by their various communities.
The Commissioner said that these persons would serve as peace mediator, adding, however, that they would not handle cases like murder and firearms.
He gave assurance that community policing would go a long way in addressing current security challenges in the country.
He also added that with its commencement, security concerns in the areas of robbery, kidnapping, insurgency, cultism, communal clashes and others would be nipped in the bud.
Speaking on alleged political rivalry motivated attacks in the state, Jimeta said that the command remains apolitical.
According to him, “We are not politicians but
police men, dealing with purely what is against the law.
The Edo CP said the state government security architecture,
code named “Operation Wabaizigan” had helped in reducing crime in the state. He
also disclosed that the command was enhancing a conflict resolution and
mitigation approach already adopted by farmers/herders in the state in
resolving their clashes.
On cultism, Jimeta said that the command would
work with the state government and faith based organisations in tackling the
problem. He said that cultism was endemic among the youths in the state, adding
that it needs to be tackled by the larger Edo society.