Govt must tackle unemployment to check crime, says IG

[MrVan]

Ibadan – The Acting Inspector General of  Police, Muhammed Abubakar,  has called on the three tiers of government  to  tackle unemployment  in order  to reduce  crime  rate in the country.

Abubakar made the call on Thursday when he visited Gov. Abiola Ajimobi at the Governor's Office in Ibadan.

The IG expressed concern at the rate  youths were resorting to crime as an alternative means of survival due to unemployment.

"We have a lot of graduates and even those who have not attended any school who have nothing to do.

" It becomes worrisome, when you go round this country and you see the faces of unemployed persons;

"You begin to wonder that we just have to do what we have to do at the level of federal, state and local governments to begin to plan and put policies in place for the employment of these persons,'' he  said.

The police boss also appealed to political  office holders to use their positions to better the lots of  unemployed youths.

Abubakar said the police hierarchy would tackle the present security challenges in the country, adding that the new Force being evolved would be people friendly, well equipped, competent and committed.

"Ours is to build a people-friendly police force; a police force that will be respected, respect Nigerians and provide safety and security for every citizen of this country;

" a police that will not harass the citizens; a police force that will be friendly in its attitude, actions and inactions; a police force that will help the aged, the children and the needy in terms of their needs.

"This is our mission and vision; a competent police force that is well trained, well motivated and well equipped for the security challenges of this country,'' he said.

The IG  also warned  that any police man caught taking  bribe would be dismissed and prosecuted  no matter the rank.

He commended the Oyo State Government for its support to the Force, saying this had  improved the effectiveness of the command in crime control.

Responding, Ajimobi said Ibadan, the state capital, was renowned for  thuggery and brigandage  before his administration came into office in 2011.

Ajimobi, however,  said Ibadan had witnessed relative peace  since  Abubakar  became the head of the Force  and changes were made in the state command.

The governor assured the police of support, saying 66 patrol vans were bought for the use of the state command. (NAN)

Vanguard Nigeria