By EBEN ENASCO KINGSLEY Benin City
THE Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) of Police in Zone 5, Mr Musa
Daura has called on the youths in Edo state to be part of agent of change to fight against crime and criminality in the state.
The AIG gave the charge while addressing the youths at a one-day security summit held at Police Officers Mess, GRA, Benin City.
He stated that youths are critical tools, pillars, mobilizers in nation building and societal development, hence the need for their partnership in crime fighting and control.
AIG Daura said, “Because of the enormous strength and positive virtues derivable from youths, they have the power to lead their fellow citizens in the right direction. Unfortunately, many youths today have constituted themselves into social menace; indulging in heinous crimes such as armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism and rape”
Emphasising that crime is evil as it brings bad reputation to the perpetrators; AIG Daura admonished them to partner with the police in safeguarding lives and properties in the state. “Youths can partner with the police through the provision of useful information, safeguarding the vulnerable – children, women and destitute from sexual molestation.
In their remarks, representatives of the youths, Dauda Isa, Prince John Eweka, Emmanuel Ojo, Godwin Ighodaro, Comrade M.C Ose commended the initiative of the interactive meeting. They appealed to the police boss to take guarantee the safety and security and protect the identity of the youths who would volunteer them information from the vagaries of criminals.
In addition, they called on the police authority to intensify the “stop and search” operation by ensuring that anyone caught in possession of illegal firearms is prosecuted accordingly.
Present at the interactive section were the Edo state Commissioner of Police, Mr Chris Ezike and youths organizations from over 55 different communities, Division Police Officers (DPOs) and senior police officers.