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LASG Reiterates Commitment To Fight Crime, Criminality
The Lagos State Government has on reiterated its commitment to prosecution of the war against crime and criminality, saying that it is an unrelenting war that will continue 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 present administration will not shy away from its primary responsibility of ensuring the security of lives and property of the people.
Igbokwe pointed out that government’s determination is clearly discernible from the several policy actions and pronouncements of the present administration, especially with the recent donation of 120 patrol vans and 35 motorbikes to the Lagos Police Command in conjunction with the Local Governments in the State.
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He explained that the symbolism of the presentation underscores the resolve 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 performed that constitutionally assigned role?”.
“We cannot continue to do the same thing all over the same way and expect to get different results. Largely because of the inadequate crime detection techniques 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 Community Policing which focuses on engendering harmonious and systematic relationship between the police and the entire people in the community in an inclusive manner.
The Special Adviser 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 had been a shift from traditional policing to community policing with the Nigeria Police Force since the year 2004 when the Nigeria Police adopted Community Policing as a practical approach to Police reforms.
While acknowledging that the community policing approach sought to focus on constructive engagement with people, being the main beneficiaries, Igbokwe suggested a renegotiation of the ‘covenant’ between the people and the police to make the community co-producers of justice and a quality Police Force.
He charged participants at the stakeholders’ town hall meeting to ponder over several questions including, how community policing can be improved; the level of effectiveness has been achieved; and the level of intelligence sharing between the security agencies and the people.
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“Why do we still have reports of street gangs terrorising 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 queried.
The Special Adviser insisted that community-oriented policing is a proactive measure that promotes the curbing of criminal acts and charged all Lagosians to feel free to bring their suggestions to the fore.
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