Stakeholders including traditional rulers, civil society organisations, youth groups and vigilance organisations yesterday called for an enhanced citizen- police relationship necessary to reduce the present high level of crime and criminality in Edo State.
Making the call at an interactive session organised by the Edo State police command in Benin City, participants particularly urged the state government to immediately direct, ensure and enforce the painting and tagging of intra-city commercial vehicles to reduce crime in the state.
State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Folusho Adebano, said the command organised the roundtable so as to get more support from the people of the state 'so that we can do better.'
"We want to share ideas on how to check crime and reduce it to the barest minimum. We are ready to partner with the people to achieve this. The police cannot fight crime alone no matter the level of technology.
"We must partner and exchange information so that we can reduce crime and criminality to its barest minimum. Although, we have arrested a manufacturer of arms and ammunition in the state, but we need to do more."
In his contribution, the Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee, PCRC, Rev. Martins Evbuomwan, commended the police for the parley and urged the people to volunteer more information to police.
"Anybody who kills to make money will be dealt with by nemesis. God will touch our children's heart in order for them to live a meaningful life," he admonished.
Speaking on behalf of the traditional institution, the Imah of Somorika, Oba Sule Idaiye, claimed that most criminals live among the people and therefore urged all residents to be vigilant in identifying strange faces among them.
National Mirror