In a meeting with Mohammed Dankwara, the new commissioner of the Edo State Police, on Monday, Edo State Governor Mr. Godwin Obaseki called for enhanced cooperation between the police, the government, and other security agencies in order to protect the lives and property of Edo residents.
As the general elections of 2023 draw near, Obaseki, who accepted the new CP at Government House in Benin City, emphasized the importance of the police maintaining their impartiality and acting with utmost professionalism and fairness.
“I formally welcome you to Edo State as the new commissioner of police in the state. We were informed that our former Police Commissioner would be redeployed upon his promotion, and we were given the assurance that a seasoned police officer would be assigned to the state.” the governor declared.
“The methods we employed to establish a safe and secure state are still in place, and the former CP made significant contributions to security stabilization in Edo State. I think the CP who works with these people will succeed as well.”
He continued, “It was a great accomplishment and a great challenge for you as the CP now in the state that there was not a single crime incident in Edo State last Christmas. Without a doubt, your presence here will help us build on the accomplishments we have made as a state.”
Obaseki made the following observation regarding the general elections of 2023: “We know you have experience in this field, and you are coming at a time of high politicking and political campaign in our electioneering. Don’t be dragged into our politics. As a government, we have an obligation to uphold law and order, and we will not tolerate or permit anyone to overthrow the state or government for political purposes. We will not accept, working with you, any act of disorderly conduct because it will undermine the peace in the state as we will diligently prosecute anyone found wanting.”
Reiterating the need for sustained collaboration to improve security in Edo, the governor said, “The entire security system is one that works very collaboratively with each other. You will help us train our vigilante network in your facility at Ogida Barracks. Your experience will be helpful to the system.
“We will be here for you as long as your men need to be extremely mobile. As we collaborate with you on this and other programs, we will also work together on training.
“We are almost finalising getting numbers to enable people to reach our command and control center and also extend the camera network to wider areas of coverage, particularly around the cities and major highways. We are expanding the street lighting system to more streets and areas to light up the city at night and expand the economic life of the city.
“We are in a war with land grabbing. We urge you to help us champion these courses because I vowed to the Edo people that I would deal with land grabbers.”
In his response, the new CP, said, “I promise to do my best with my team, as we have already started working tirelessly to ensure a safe and secure Edo. Edo State is one of the states in the federation with a very low crime rate. We thank the governor for creating the enabling environment to achieve this feat. We are already working hard to ensure our people enjoy a peaceful Yuletide celebration.”
