Stakeholders’ Engagement: CP Giwa assures Enugu residents of improved security
The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr Mamman Giwa, has assured residents of the state of police’s resolve to improving security through synergy with community stakeholders and other security agencies.
Giwa made the pledge on Thursday during a One-Day Town Hall Meeting with Security Stakeholders within Enugu Metropolis organised by the Enugu Metropolis Area Command in Enugu.
The engagement attracted traditional, religious, youth, students and women leaders as well as government officials.
The commissioner said the town hall meetings, which had been held across the other four area commands in the state, were designed to obtain feedback from residents on police performance and emerging security challenges.
He said that the exercise commenced in Udenu Area Command before moving to Nsukka, Oji River and Agbani, with the last at Enugu Metropolis Area Command, which covers about 30 police divisions.
“Whenever you are rendering services, there is a need for feedback.
“We want to know whether we have been doing our policing work well, where we need to improve and whether there are emerging crimes that should be brought to our attention.
“So far, from the responses of stakeholders, we are doing well, but we will continue to do better,” he assured.
Giwa assured the stakeholders that issues raised that fell outside the mandate of the police would be presented to the state government through the State Security Council.
According to him, the engagements have enabled the command to identify peculiar security and developmental challenges across the various area commands and divisions as well.
Giwa, however, emphasised that effective policing required collaboration with sister security agencies and members of the public.
“We cannot do it alone. Security is not the responsibility of the police alone. Looking at the strength of the police vis-à-vis the population, we cannot cover everywhere.
“We have continued to work closely with other security agencies, and the cooperation had improved tremendously. We will sustain that partnership,” he said.
Responding to kidnapping and insecurity around forest areas of the state, Giwa said the command was working closely with forest guards recruited by the Federal and Enugu State Governments.
“The command also deployed its tactical units to continuously comb and combat criminal elements in the forest areas.
He added that ongoing operations against criminals would continue, noting that operational details could not be disclosed for security reasons.
On concerns about good Samaritans assisting accident victims, Giwa assured residents that police authorities would protect anyone who rendered humanitarian assistance.
He advised such persons to promptly notify the Divisional Police Officer in the area or contact the Police Public Relations Officer whenever they encountered difficulties.
Earlier, stakeholders called for improved security in Akwukwe, Centenary City, Damija Under Bridge in Trans-Ekulu, Ugbo-Odogwu and other parts of the state.
The Chief Security Officer of Enugu Terminal One, Holy Ghost, Chief Chuka Nwomeh, expressed concern over the growing number of homeless children and destitute persons using the terminal as a sleeping place.
He said the group had become a security concern, adding that 17 of them had been apprehended at the terminal for various vices.
Also speaking, Mr Felix Ogugbo, a resident, highlighted the security gap between Centenary City and HELIU Estate and appealed for the restoration of the Distress Response Squad presence in the area.
He also drew attention to criminal activities around Amechi and Ugwuaji community.
Similarly, the Secretary-General of the Cattle Dealers Association, Gariki New Market, Mr Ali Ahmed, called for closer engagement between security agencies and market leaders to identify criminal elements operating within cattle market.