The Coordinating Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the North Central geopolitical zone, DIG Ishyaku Mohammed, has called on citizens to make proper use of established emergency lines and communication channels to report crimes and criminal activities.
Mohammed made the call on Monday in Lokoja during a stakeholders’ engagement at the Kogi State Police Command.
The meeting brought together a cross-section of stakeholders, including traditional rulers, the Chairman and members of the Police Community Relations Committee, representatives of the National Association of Nigerian Students, representatives of the Nigerian Bar Association, youth groups, civil society organisations, and non-governmental organisations.
“The Nigeria Police Force has provided emergency lines and communication channels. I urge every citizen to make use of them,” he said.
DIG Mohammed said he was in the state on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Rilwan Olatunji Disu, NPM, to engage critical stakeholders on matters concerning collective security and public safety.
He said security is everyone’s responsibility, noting that the police alone cannot secure communities.
“Security is everybody’s business. The Police alone cannot secure our communities without the active support and participation of the people.
“This is your state. We will not allow criminals to take over.
“This state belongs to all of us. We cannot and will not surrender it to criminals, kidnappers, armed robbers, cultists, drug traffickers, terrorists, or any other elements that threaten our peace and security. But we cannot achieve this objective alone. We need your support.
“There is no better security strategy than one that involves the people and communities it is designed to protect. Every family, every village, every ward, every community and every institution has a role to play.”
He said traditional rulers must remain vigilant, while religious leaders should continue to preach peace and good values.
He added that parents must pay greater attention to their children, youth groups must become partners in peacebuilding and crime prevention, and community leaders must remain the police’s eyes and ears.
“Together, we must identify security threats before they escalate into major crises.
“Prevention is always better than reaction.
“Distinguished stakeholders, information remains the most potent weapon against crime.
“The Nigeria Police Force has provided emergency lines and communication channels. I urge every citizen to make use of them.
“There is no useless information.
“A seemingly insignificant piece of information can prevent a kidnapping, stop an armed robbery, disrupt a terrorist attack or save lives.
“Promptly report suspicious movements and activities.
“Report strange faces and unusual gatherings.
“Expose criminal hideouts.
“Report illegal possession, movement and sale of firearms.
“Report drug trafficking and drug abuse.
“Report kidnapping threats and all forms of criminal activities,” he added.
He also urged communities to reject criminals and their support networks, appealing to residents not to provide sanctuary to offenders.
“Do not shield them because they are your relatives, your friends or your neighbours,” he said, adding that crime eventually destroys the very communities that harbour it.
“Anyone who protects criminals becomes an enabler of criminality.
“Communities must collectively reject criminals and deny them safe havens,” he noted.
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