The Edo State Acting Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu has said the state is working closely with the Nigerian Police Force and other federal security agencies in the state in strengthening the state’s intelligence-driven community policing system to stall crime and criminality and guarantee the protection of lives and property of citizens.
Shaibu stated this during the passing out parade for 474 newly recruited police constables from Edo, Delta and Cross River States, held at the Ogida Police Barracks, Benin City.
The acting governor, who was represented by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Osaigbovo Iyoha, congratulated the newly recruits on the completion of their training, noting that they “have gone through a very rigorous training and testing of their intellect and resilience in order to join the state fast-evolving security architecture.”
According to him, “As a government, we are aware of the indispensable role that security plays in the socio-economic growth and development of our state and have taken strategic steps to strengthen our security architecture.
“We are ensuring the safety and security of people and businesses in the state. This is because we understand that the investments being made today in our dear state can only be sustained with improvement in public safety and security.
“Taking into cognizance our peculiar security needs, we developed a robust security system for the state, evolving a public safety system that is anchored on citizen participation with a bottom-up structure, such that citizens are actively engaged in intelligence gathering, providing critical and time sensitive information to protect and secure their immediate communities, in collaboration with the federal government – controlled security outfits.”
He continued: “We are working closely with the Nigerian Police Force and other federal security agencies in the state and have mobilized our people to activate a community policing model. This provides an intelligence-driven security system, which today has, in no small measure, stalled crime and criminality in major cities, towns and communities across Edo State.
“From thwarting robbery incidents in Ekpoma to helping to rescue kidnapped victims in Etsako and quelling cult related clashes in Benin City, the vigilante network has proven to be an integral part of our security apparatus.”
“We specifically thank the Inspector General of Police and the Edo State Commissioner of Police for their unalloyed support and partnership that has translated to the peace and security that we enjoy in the state today. It is worthwhile to note that since the Commissioner of Police was deployed to Edo there have been noticeable improvements in security in the state,” the acting governor added.
Assuring support to security agencies in the state, he said “We want to commend you and assure you that we will continue to work with you and ensure you have the necessary resources to carry out your constitutional duties.”
He further noted, “Today, Edo is not just one of the safest and most secure states to live and do business, but is now a model for other sub-nationals in Africa on how governments can boost economic growth and development by strengthening security.
Also speaking, the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, represented by AIG Tanko Jimeta, noted that out of the 10, 000 persons that commenced the training nationwide, a total of 11 trainees could not meet up with components of the standard set for the exercise during the training.
Earlier in her speech, the Commandant, Police Training School, Benin, ACP Sarah Ehindero, said that the training of 476 police recruits commenced on 10th of January after a computer-based examination and medical screening.
