Police engage stakeholders over Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau kidnappings

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 4, Makurdi, comprising of Nasarawa, Benue and Plateau commands, AIG Dankombo Morris has called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, and other critical stakeholders to forge a united front against kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery, and communal clashes bedeviling the Zone.

AIG Morris made the call on Tuesday in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital during a major stakeholders’ engagement meeting which was held at the Police command headquarters.

Arewa PUNCH reports that the meeting, which was part of the AIG’s familiarisation tour of the Zone, three months after assuming duty, brought together leaders from across Nasarawa, Benue and Plateau states that make up the zone.

AIG Morris said the era of leaving security solely in the hands of the police is over, stressing that modern democratic policing thrives on community partnership.

According to him, “Security is a collective responsibility. All over the world, it is community policing that is the modern, positive and result-oriented way of policing in a democratic setup.

“Policing is most effective when it is supported by the people because the police cannot be everywhere at all times. You are the eyes and ears of your communities,” he emphasised.

The Police chief who also noted that Zone 4 is faced with serious security challenges including armed robbery, banditry, kidnapping, communal clashes, farmers-herders conflict, cultism, drug-related offences and cybercrime,   explained that the crimes had led to loss of lives and destruction of property worth millions of Naira.

The AIG further assured that the Zonal Command is working round-the-clock to provide lasting solutions that will enable citizens to go about their legitimate businesses without fear or molestation.

AIG Morris commended members of the Police Community Relations Committee, civil society organisations, youth leaders and traders for providing timely information and cooperation, which he said have helped in sustaining the peace and stability in the state.

He charged officers and men of the Command to see themselves as servants of the people and to earn public trust through integrity, fairness, courtesy and firmness, adding that the Command is deepening intelligence-led and community-oriented policing.

On the forthcoming election season, the AIG warned political actors against heating up the polity.

He warned, “I appeal to all political party chairmen and political leaders to ensure their activities are conducted responsibly and peacefully. Political differences should never endanger lives and property. After politics, we still remain together.

“We will not allow the state to be turned into a battleground. We encourage dialogue and respect for the rule of law. The Police will not tolerate misinformation, inflammatory religious statements and tribal comments capable of creating tension and division.”

Earlier, the Commissioner of Police, Nasarawa State, CP Shettima Jauro Mohammed, assured of a level playing field for all parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He pledged neutrality, professionalism and respect for the rule of law, and said the Command is strengthening operational preparedness for a peaceful poll.

He urged political stakeholders and youths to shun violence, hate speech, thuggery, even as he charged officers to remain apolitical and disciplined at polling units, collation centres and campaign grounds.

The Nasarawa CP also called on IPAC, PCRC and community leaders to sustain collaboration with the police on intelligence gathering and conflict prevention.