Kogi State Deputy Governor, Chief Edward Onoja has reiterated government’s preparedness to tackle security challenges in the state.
Onoja made this known during the inauguration of the State Community Policing Advisory Committee (SCPC) and the State Community Policing Committee (SCPC) in Lokoja on Monday.
The Deputy Governor has expressed confidence in the ability of Governor Yahaya Bello to nip the security challenges the state faces in the bud, irrespective of recent security challenges in the state.
He praised President Muhammadu Buhari for the successful attainment of community policing policy under the current administration and expressed happiness that it was achieved under the leadership of the incumbent Inspector General of Police, Muhammed Adamu.
He noted that the policy became imperative because crimes are committed by people in societies inhabited by people and not in space or by aliens, hence the approach of ensuring humans with character and willingness to serve form part of the security architecture of the state through the committees.
Onoja stated that Governor Bello will partner all security agencies to ensure the security of lives and property of the people of Kogi State.
He expressed gladness on the composition of the members, stressing that it was all encompassing and would further strengthen the efforts being put in place to arrest those behind recent criminal activities.
He stated that Governor Bello’s desire is to have a crime free Kogi state under his leadership.
In his address, the Inspector General of Police, whose address was delivered by DIG Lawal Shehu, urged the committee to ensure it is made up of people with good character and not criminals or ex-convicts.
He also suggested that workers whose sources of income are known should be made members of the committee since they can be vouched for as people with legitimate sources of income.
In his own address, the Commissioner of Police, Ede Ayuba said he is ready to work with the committee to ensure a crime free Kogi State which they are members of.
He said policing is the business of all and called on everyone to work with the committee to ensure safety of lives and property.
In his acceptance speech, the Ohimegye Igu and Chairman of Lokoja/Kogi Traditional Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Abdulrazak Isah thanked the government for finding them worthy to serve, promising to bring his experience as a retired police officer to serve.
In his vote of thanks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Navy Commander Jerry Omodara (rtd) assured the people of the state of the efforts being put in place to ensure the state put recent security challenges to bed.
