By IFEOMA ikem
The new Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Imohimi Edgal on vows to reduce crime rate in the state by 30 percent within two months.
CP made the assurance while briefing pressmen at the Police Officers Mess, Ikeja, stressing that his roadmap was based on a police plan driven largely by community policing and partnership.
He said that he would go to any length, to make sure crime reduced to zero level in Lagos state .
Police boss explained that he would do everything within his power as the CP to keep Lagos Safe from crime activities.
Speaking further,my strategy will be based on community policing which will increase the involvement of community members on how they would be policed.
” It is all about partnership, decision making and accountability is also important but partnership is essential core. My mission is to make Lagos the safest place to do business, restore the pride of police and bequeath to the people a friendly police. According to him, community partnership is an aspect that emphasizes synergy with other security agencies and civil groups.
A partnership geared towards making the state more peaceful.
“I will also partner closely with informal policing in the state,
The issue of functional partnership will be taken very serious as legal and operational guidelines for vigilante will be established.
“The Vigilante play important role but before any group can metamorphose, such group must report to the divisional police headquarters in that place where they will be registered, profiled and scrutinized.
If any of the group have any trace of criminal case it would not be accepted if found having a criminal a drunkard or with any form deviant behavior.
“They will be documented and submitted to the Area Commander for final scrutiny. If the Area Commander confirm and I approve, they will be able to work closely with the police.
“None of them will however be allowed to carry arms as they are not legalized to do so. They will be used primarily for intelligence networking.
“We will improve intelligence gathering, henceforth any intelligence information that leads to arrest will be rewarded and identity will be protected.” the CP said.
Edgal added that a platform named Citizens Complaints Hot Centre (CCHC) will be activated at 6pm on Wednesday to handle complaints from members of the public.
He added that the former Anti-Kidnapping and Cultism section had been unbundled, while a new Anti-Kidnapping section will operate independently from the command and headed by policemen with integrity.
The CP noted that crimes always had connection with drugs and vowed to clamp down on drug traffickers by collaborating with the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).He commanded the press for a job well done, urging them for more support as no commissioner of police can succeed without media support
The CP advised the media against stories that would cause panic to the public, stressing that exposing the activities of criminal would enhance better security.