Fashola, Arase, Banire canvass community policing, high tech to combat crimes

Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola and former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase yesterday canvassed community policing and installation of high-tech security devices in strategic locations to combat crimes and insecurity in the country.

They argued that identification of all Nigerians and data collation in all sectors of the economy was necessary, noting that crime thrives in ungoverned places, as criminals take advantage of places where their identity could not be uncovered.They spoke at the fourth annual public lecture/symposium organised by United Action for Change with the theme, “Security of Citizens as a Social Contract,” in Lagos.

Specifically, Fashola expressed the hope that a lot would be achieved if the people partnered with government agencies and supply relevant information that would help to track criminals in the country.

The former governor of Lagos State also cautioned the media against “weaponising” crime as criminals get motivated by the extent to which their activities are reported.

“From cheapest hotel to the most expensive, security of citizens must be paramount by putting cameras and other security devices in places. Organised crime thrives in ungoverned spaces. Criminals take advantage of places where their identity cannot be uncovered.
“Organised crime is dynamic, criminals are aware that people no longer keep money at home and now they have diversified into kidnapping people for ransom.

“Everything that bothers on insecurity is planned and organised by few individuals who are motivated or rewarded with cash, influence or other things.“Increasing the number of police officers is good, but there is the need to know that every individual has a role to play in combating crimes, civil society organisations (CSOs), world leaders and citizens must come together to put an end to insecurity.”

Speaking, Arase, who was Chairman of the event, urged the government to take up its primary assignment of protecting lives and property of citizens, adding, “I am an advocate of regional security so as to fill the lgap left by enforcement officials.

“We have to bring in the community partnership approach to complement the traditional policing, situating the current outfit under command and control in the main system. That way, there will be no arguments.”Responding, Convener of the event, Muiz Banire, noted that the country was in a period where the internal security of the people has been most challenged.

He lamented that the atmosphere in the country was tense, urging the Federal Government to do everything within its powers to secure the lives and property of Nigerians.