* Says crimes rate has reduced.
* As Correspondents Chapel pledges collaboration
The Kogi state Commissioner of Police, CP Miller Dantawaye, has assured the residents of Ajokpachi Odo and its environs in Omala Local Government Area of the state who were displaced in the wake of herders attack to return home as efforts are on top gears to deploy police patrol team to secure the communities.
This is as he acknowledged the proactiveness of his strategies which has significantly reduced crime and criminality across the state
The commissioner disclosed this when he received in audience the members of the Correspondents chapel of the Kogi state Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in his office in Lokoja.
He said to solidify the ungovern spaces he has been in touch with the Commissioners of Police of Benue State and Enugu state to form joint operations along the borderlines area of the states. .
He bemoaned the large expanse of bushes and forests around the borders which the criminals uses as a shield after committing heinous crimes, stressing that while the operatives are combing this side the criminals would move to the other sides.
” The bushes are vast , they are very big and it is not just one community they attack. We have an assistant commissioner of Police from Enugu state that is virtually is in charge of the operations and we have deploy some of our personnel to join him in the operation. The corridor is very large and when sometimes it happened, you have to travel for hours before getting there. But I can assure them that we are working hard to secure them. They should support police with credible information of their hideouts. They should stop the idea that when I’m saved nothing more.
” Crime occurred everywhere, being in the bushes, in the farms in homes and when police are not informed on time , no one will be spared including the police.,We are seriously not resting on our oars,, we are doing our best to ensure that the communities are protected”
He disclosed that the governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has been briefed and has pledged to give support to commence similar operations in Bagana around there , saying, discussion is ongoing to combat the menace and to restore confidence and that very soon , the situation will be frontally tackled.
He warned the villagers and accomplices to desist from killing the cattles of the herders to avoid violent retaliation.
He urged elites from the community to Kickstart the process of getting a police outpost as he is ready to avail them the opportunity just like Imane in Olamaboro, and others have done to have outposts in their Communities.
Meanwhile, he commended members of
the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, (NUJ) for the visit and pledged unwavering commitment to strengthening existing police and media relations to foster a stronger working collaboration and enhance accurate reporting of police activities.
The CP Dantawaye acknowledged the role of the media in shaping public perception and ensuring accountability. He urged them to remain professional in their role which is critical in building a safer Kogi State.
The CP assured of the command’s open door and accessibility, while urging them to remain professional in their reports and promote harmony in the State and reiterated his unwavering commitment to strengthen the relationship between the police and media in the area of information sharing. He urged them to sharpen their power of observation and report any suspicious activities and movement for prompt action, stressing that security is a collective responsibilities and all hands must be on deck, if we must achieve a safe and secured society.
He further emphasised the need for establishing and maintaining strong relationships with the Journalists, media outlets, and other stakeholders, adding that effective media relations is vital for the command to maintain a positive image, secure public support and showcase it’s achievements.
He outlined notable achievement since he assumed office, including arrests of 582 suspects comprising of 157 kidnappers, 192 Armed Robbers, 28 Homicide, 38 unlawful possession of firearms, 7 Rape, 6 Cultists and 168 others. And also dismantling of criminal networks, rescue of kidnapped victims. Firearms recovered includes; eight (8) AK 47 rifles, one (1) AK 49, seven (7) locally made pistols, eleven (11) Dane guns, 407 rounds of live ammunition, ten (10) magazines, barretta pistol, seven (7) live cartridges, one Sharon car, two (2) Bajaj motorcycles
He assured that, the command is ever determined to sustained the collaboration with the Correspondents chapel, as such partnership is vital for enhancing accurate reporting of incidents in the State.
While making his remarks, the chairman of the correspondents chapel of Nigerian Union of Journalists, Mr Segun Salami commended the leadership style of the commissioner of police, noting that the engagement will foster a stronger working relationship between the police and media, build mutual trust, strengthen security and media relations and promote societal harmony.
He further disclosed that the chapel remains committed to supporting the efforts of the police in the fight against crime and criminality in the state, hinting that the engagement offered opportunity to the chapel to strengthen the level of collaboration with the command, assuring of accurate reporting of police activities and incidents
