As a further measure to ensure the security of lives and property in Edo State, the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on Thursday in Benin launched the state command and control centre.
This is even as the state held its 2023 security summit with the theme, ‘Edo State Security Framework: Repositioning for the future’.
Speaking at the twin event, Governor Obaseki said that the summit is to serve as a pivotal platform in uniting the leaders, law enforcement agencies and community stakeholders towards the safety and fortification of Edo State.
He noted that his administration is concerned about the sustainability of all the reforms introduced in the last seven years, particularly in the area of security.
He said: “Key to our security report in Edo has been collaboration with various security agencies in the state.
“Every month, we collate every incidence that has occurred across the state and our goal is how to use the data collected to combat crime, investigate crime and understand what is going on in various communities across the state.
“Since we started collecting data on crime incidences in the state, that is between 2017 and 2020, we saw the astronomic rise in crime and criminal activities across the board.
“But since we started using data to analyse what is going on in the state, from 2020 till post COVID era, we have seen incidences of crime reducing significantly. There has been a 41.7 reduction in the crime rate since 2021 till date in Edo State.
“Our success stories as I said before the strategic alliances which have expanded the reach of our security endeavour.
“But what is key for us is crime is local, security is local and until we have a decentralised legislative framework to allow the component parts of the country to also undertake policing to a certain level.
“What we need to do now is to ensure active collaboration between the central security agencies and the local agencies. The point is, as we look into the future, emphasis must be on decentralises security.”
Speaking earlier, the Chairman, Police Service Commission and Chairman of the ceremony, Dr. Solomon Arase, said that as a result of its key position in the country, Edo State is prone to the influx of crimes imported from other states.
“In response to the above threat, community policing emerges as a unique and effective strategy to root out these criminal elements.
“The police community relations committee is the driving force behind the community policing initiative which has improved the operational capacity of the local hunters and vigilantes along with the influential traditional and religious leaders.”
He maintained that the journey towards securing Edo needs a multi-faceted approach, adding that for the issue of cultism and kidnapping to be addressed, there is a need for intelligence-driven technology.
In his keynote address, Major-General Ohifeme Ejemai (rtd), said that there should be security awareness amongst the people in order to combat the issue of crime in the state.
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