Increased Burglaries in Abeokuta Worries Edgal
As new Ogun CP rolls out reform measures
Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal, has assured residents of Abeokuta, the state’s capital, that having arrived in the state, recurring cases of midnight burglaries that have been a source of worry will soon be over.
Edgal, who held forte in Lagos State as Police Commissioner in the administration of former Governor Akinwumi Ambode, said he was worried when he arrived Ogun and the first briefing he got was that Abeokuta had been stalked by midnight burglars.
Speaking in an interactive session with journalists at the Eleweeran police headquarters in Abeokuta, the CP said though burglary was the least of crimes he had had to surmount, he would confront the latest challenge with the same zest he deployed in Lagos to fight robberies and kidnapping.
“When I arrived here, the issue of burglary was the first briefing I got, and the following night, I set out between 1am and 3am, patrolling the Abeokuta metropolis, and the first thing I noticed is that, we don’t have enough police presence in the streets.
“If there are police check points at all strategic locations, anyone contemplating burglary will think twice, as he will definitely find it difficult to escape with the loot.”
Edgal added that to that extent, he would ensure increased patrol of the state’s communities, to contain criminal elements; but he also called for the cooperation of the residents, noting that it is impossible for the police alone to track criminals.
In demonstration of his commitment to community policing and safety partnership, the new Ogun CP said he had set up a new ombudsman, aimed at checkmating police excesses.
He lamented that the bad eggs in the police had given the force a bad name, and that upon serious reflection, he decided to set up a Public Complaint Hot Centre at the state’s police headquarters, where aggrieved members of the public could come to lodge complaints against erring policemen and officers.
"We are aware that we have bad eggs among us: just like we have good ones, we also have the bad ones. So, we want to flush out bad ones from the system. That is why I said that I am going to launch the Public Complaint Hot Centre and I am happy to inform you that I have set it up. It is a centre opened 24/7, so as to report the activities of my men and officers.
"The purpose of this is to identify policemen and officers who don't want to key into safety partnership. We need to create a society where crimes are brought to a tolerable level. This can only be made possible through a community-driven security network. And I want to make it clear that actions will be taken against erring police officers whose conducts contravene our philosophy of community policing.”
Edgal thus listed 10 telephone lines which the Ogun State residents can call, to lodge complaints against policemen acting outside their brief.
The numbers are: 07081970735, 07083817391, 08189009113, 08164684395 and 08058701189. Others are: 08058701147, 08060148672, 07080154562, 08064741658 and 08064071875.
"I want to assure you that I will sanction any erring member of this force. Any policeman or woman who asks you for money before your matter is taken, just call the number. If your right is being infringed upon by a policeman, just call any of the numbers.
"If you see anyone who is misbehaving, just call any of the numbers, either in your native Yoruba language or English language. I want to assure you that your complaints will be taken and actions will be carried out," he pledged.
The CP also said he would soon embark on townhall meetings with communities in the state, with a view to fostering policecommunity relations.