BENIN CITY-The Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Zone 5 Mr Abubakar Adamu Muhammed has warned community and youth leaders against taking to crime because of the recent pronouncements on the activities of Community Development Association (CDA) and revenue collectors in Edo State.
He stated this during his maiden interactive forum with Community and youth leaders in the state at the AIG, Zone 5 headquarters, Benin City, yesterday.
The AIG meeting came barely 24 hours when the State House of Assembly passed a bill prohibiting activities of Community Development Associations (CDAs), Okaighele and Okaevbo in Edo State.
Mr Abubakar noted that the essence of the meeting was to interact with the community and youth leaders with a view to ensuring enhanced security in Edo State.
“We are aware that following the recent pronouncement by the Oba of Benin and policies of Edo State Government on the activities of CDAs and revenue collectors in Edo State which did not go down well with some youths who have vowed to make the state ungovernable if those policies are not reversed which hitherto has resulted to rising cases of kidnapping, cultism and armed robbery amongst other in Edo State.
“I therefore use this medium to call on you to talk to your boys, friends and colleagues to desist from crime and criminality as anyone caught will be prosecuted accordingly”. The AIG stated.
The zonal police chief called on the community and youth leaders to be patient as the state government was making arrangements to absorbed the youths into the system.
“We are aware that the government is trying to do something to see that they can be absorbed into the system.
“But before then, we want to partner with you so as to talk to your youths not to take to crime before the government policy will absorb them into meaningful activities”. He explained.
Mr Abubakar said further that the police would strengthen their partnership with the community through community policing and vigilante with credible membership.
The AIG mandated the youth leaders to avail him a data base of their members and that of the vigilante as it would assist the police and government incorporate them into the system.
Speaking at the meeting the commissioner of police, Edo State Mr Haliru Gwandu stated that the state police command had mapped out strategies of handling anyone who forment trouble in the state.
In their various remarks, the community and youth leaders expressed readiness to partner with the police in securing Edo State.
The AIG also convened similar interactive meeting with the leadership of transport and revenue unions in the state last Thursday.
