By Valentine Amanze, Lagos
Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has handed over 27 patrol vans to the Commissioner of Public Safety, Rodney Ajaelu, for distribution to the state-owned security agencies for community policing.
While handing over the vehicles at the Government House Owerri, the governor said that the Rescue Mission government in the state would continue to invest heavily in community policing.
According to him, the programme has paid off in the state since it was embarked upon with the formation of state-owned security outfits such as Imo Security Network and Imo Civil guards. He expressed joy that they always worked closely with the federal government-owned security agencies in the state.
The governor explained that the government’s action was in line with the policy of the Inspector General of Police, which encourages community policing.
The governor, who was represented at the event by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Chief Uche Nwosu, noted that the personnel of the state-owned security bodies had, apart from fishing out criminals from the communities and handing them over to the police, contributed immensely to the drastic reduction of crimes like kidnapping and armed robbery in the state.
He disclosed that the government had given them the patrol vans to make them put more effort in their duty.
The government also gave cash rewards to certain personnel of the Imo Security Network and Imo Civil Guards who were exceptional in the discharge of their duties. The band of the Civil Guard also received cash reward for its wonderful outings.
In his vote of thanks, the head of the Imo Civil Guard, Mr. Ewe Ejifugha, commended the state government for motivating them and assured that they would work harder.
