Ifeoluwa Dada
The Legislative Council of the Egbe Idimu Local Council Development Area under the leadership of Hon Taiwo Lasisi continued its series of oversight functions on Tuesday as the legislators paid a familiarisation visit to the Area Commander. Area ‘M’ (Idimu) of the Nigeria Police Force, Assistance Commissioner of Police (ACP) Akika Ayasi Austin.
Hon Lasisi, appreciated the ACP for his contributions in security of lives and properties in Egbe-Idimu Community, noting that security and welfare of the people is the primary purpose of government, hence the visit of the Legislators is an attempt to help enhance a relationship that can aid community policing and see areas the legislative council can assist the police for efficient security service delivery.
In reacting, ACP Akika applauded the gesture of the legislators, revealing that such visit was the first he has had in decades of experience. He stressed that the visit was a pointer to the fact that the legislators are truly public servants and hold the security of the people who voted them with high regard.
On security measures, ACP Akika urged that better infrastructures, especially road networks should be improved as that would help avoid gridlock which creates an atmosphere for criminal acts on the roads.
The Police Chief also advised that council authority considers security implications before granting licenses to hoteliers and parks and should, in fact, consult the police before the moves and seek partnership with stakeholders at local levels, reach out to cooperate bodies to engage in security-oriented Cooperate Social Responsibilities and encourage use of local vigilante groups for community policing.
“We are not talking about running a parallel police body. No, but something like a working security support system, you can then present them for the police to profile them after which we will attach policemen to the groups to guide and patrol with them.”
He urged the public to partners with the police in security watch and ready to share information with the police.
“The criminals live among us, they are not from heaven, report them before they become monsters.” He posited.
He, however, advised that people must not take laws into their hands by engaging in jungle justice and extrajudicial killings.
The legislators also stopped to meet the DPO, Idimu Police Station, SP Fayomi Solomon, who also lauded the visit of the legislators.
Speaking on alleged vandalism in public schools around Egbe Idimu, Fayomi remarked that being proactive is a better way of addressing crime rather than being reactive and emphasised that availability of open ground for sport and recreation activities would go a long way in engaging the youth and get them off crime.
“In the meantime, the schools can engage services of local guards to watch the school environment while the police can be engaged in extreme cases.
On combatting crime, Fayomi explained “Idimu is gradually moving from being a dominantly residential area to a strong commercial environment and researches have proven that crime increases when and where money flows, noting that this is part of the reasons for the recent records in crime, especially early morning attacks, He explained that the police is on top of the situation and urged that Community Development Committees, Landlord Associations and other community groups should work on having their streets night guards extend their close hour from 5:00am to about 6:30am. He said.
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