Akeredolu canvasses community policing to tackle crime

Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) of Ondon on Monday canvassed for more effective community policing as one of the ways to tackle criminal activities in rural areas.

Akeredolu gave the advice during a courtesy visit to the Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Hilda Ibifuro-Harrison, at the Police headquarters in Akure.

He thanked the command for the selfless discharge of its duties and urged them to discourage loitering by non-uniformed people around checkpoints.

The governor canvassed for more police commands in the state, saying that the three existing commands were not enough to tackle the noticeable increase in criminal activities.

He said that five area commands were needed for effective policing of the state.

According to Akeredolu, there is the need to have additional area commands in Okitipupa and Akoko area.

He also expressed concern over the dearth of personnel at the Marine Police unit in Ilaje and Ese-Odo local government areas of the state, and assured the police of more assistance in the area of logistics.

Earlier, Ibifuro-Harrison said it was the goal of the command to re-enact itself as the indisputable primary agency of internal security.

She explained that it could be achieved through pervasive and credible commitment of men and logistics towards achieving a relatively peaceful state.

“The Command intends to accomplish this task through regular assessment of its capabilities, appraisal of the challenges from its external environment, other stakeholders, sister security agencies and the state government.”

Ibifuro-Harrison also said the level of crime in Ondo was low compared to other states, due to intensive and efficient security network put in place by the management team of the Police Command.

“The few cases of kidnapping, armed robbery and cultism are perpetrated by criminals operating outside the state, but with extra efforts from our officers, some of the activities were nipped in the bud.”

She said that those arrested were promptly prosecuted and their victims rescued.

“Various measures have also been put in place to ensure crimes and crimialities are curbed within the state, including the training and re-training of men, weekly lectures, raids/patrol and surveillance of criminal hideouts/black spots.”

She listed the challenges of the command to include inadequate patrol vehicles, provision of communication gadgets and renovation of buildings within the command.