The Commissioner of Police in Edo, CP Patrick Daaor, has urged the Edo State Special Security Squad (ESSSS), residents and community-based organisations in the state to collaborate with the police in maintaining peace and security.
Daaor gave the charge while addressing a team of ESSSS led by the Chief Security Officer (CSO), and the Principal Security Officer (PSO), who were on a courtesy visit to the state Police Command.
The CP Daaor said private citizens could arrest suspects and hand them over to the police, but warned against jungle justice, mob action and other forms of unlawful punishment.
He said the command frowned at mob action and would continue to work with relevant stakeholders to ensure the safety of residents.
According to him, as a private citizen, you can arrest and hand over suspects to the police, we frown at jungle justice, mob action and any such thing.
The commissioner said the command’s overall objective was to keep Edo safe, stressing the need for continued cooperation between the police, sister agencies and other groups established by the state government.
He charged them to work with the police and ensure that whatever they were doing was in line with what the state government had set them up to do.
He assured the group of the command’s readiness to sustain a cordial working relationship with them, noting that collaboration was essential to achieving effective security across the state.
He also stressed the importance of respecting the rights and dignity of residents while carrying out security duties.
“We encourage you to ensure that you treat the people of Edo State well, with respect and dignity.
“That is exactly what I have been doing since I took over here. Yes, we have a job to do, but doing that job does not mean you ride roughshod over people,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the squad, Noah Idemudia, said their aim was to officially present themselves to the new commissioner of police, who took over in August from his predecessor, Assistant Inspector General of police (AIG), Monday Agbonika.
According to him, Edo used to be a troublesome place when it came to acts of cultism, but he thanked Gov. Monday Okpebholo for giving them the platform to operate.
“We would say we have achieved a lot. We have been able to curb cultism to the barest minimum in Edo.
“Your predecessor has been cooperative with us, alongside other security agencies such as the army, vigilantes, the NSCDC and others.
“We want to beg your indulgence to please continue the cooperation that we have been having with your men, it has yielded great success.
“From the records that we’ve had about you, I did some research and I know that your presence and coming will do more,” he said.
The coordinator used the occasion to highlight areas where they were having challenges in carrying out their duties effectively.
He, however, appealed to the commissioner to step in and help resolve the issues with his men in those areas.