The new Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 13, AIG Abutu Yaro, has expressed satisfaction with the robust support the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in Enugu State, since its inception in 2015, has given to the state command of the Nigerian Police Force to effectively discharge its duties in the State.
AIG Yaro also applauded Governor Ugwuanyi for the remarkable efforts of his administration in enhancing the security architecture of Enugu State through community policing mechanisms such as the formation and operation of the Neighbourhood Watch and Forest Guard, stressing that they are “very functional and effective.”
Speaking when he paid a courtesy visit to Governor Ugwuanyi at the Government House, Enugu, on Wednesday, the new AIG, who oversees the functions of all the police formations in Enugu and Anambra states, disclosed that the existing security architecture in Enugu State is exciting and worthy of emulation.
He added that the governor’s supports have “actually given leverage to the moderate and satisfactory security atmosphere we now enjoy albeit the occasional hiccups and other destructions which we witnessed recently.”
AIG Yaro stressed that they are satisfied with Governor Ugwuanyi’s leadership role “especially in leading from the front when the situations call for”, adding: “Your recent visits to some of the local government areas impacted by security challenges in Enugu State were commendable.
“We have watched and followed your interventions with delight. We are equally delighted that your personal interest in coordinating security has made the Police and other security agencies to be at home and it is worthy of emulation for other governors.
“Since my assumption of duty, we have taken a methodical look at the security architecture of the two states and I found the existing structure in Enugu to be more exciting.
“Exciting in the sense that right from the rural areas to the state level, the different layers of the security that exist are similar to that I experienced when I was the Commissioner of Police in Edo State.
“And we have to note that the Enugu State Neighbourhood Watch exists in a very functional and elaborate manner. The Enugu State Forest Guard also exists in a very functional and effective manner.
“We, at the zone, are delighted to notice this (feat in Enugu State) and we will be preaching that it should be replicated in some other states or other zones in our neighbourhood.”
Pointing out that the issue of farmers/herders clash is of special concern to the police and other security agencies, the new AIG expressed optimism that “with the measures we have taken as government, the recurrence will be minimal in the years to come.”
He assured that “we will help to ensure that the appropriate mechanisms are continuously put in place particularly when it comes to policy reforms or legislation with respect to the role to be played by each stakeholder, farmer, herder or hunter so that compulsory peace should be in place in much better form.”
AIG Yaro equally commended Governor Ugwuanyi for his administration’s community-security management approach “by ensuring that many stakeholders in Enugu State are always brought together to discuss security, proffer solution and present possible outcome to peace,” adding: “That alone has helped the Police and other security agencies to have very formidable impact in the discharge of their duties. As a zone, we will continue to follow up whatever security policy and design that are initiated in the state so as to have effective security coverage.”
He, therefore, assured Governor Ugwuanyi of the zone’s determination to support his administration and the Enugu Police Command to succeed in the onerous task of safeguarding life and property in the state.
Welcoming the AIG and his team to the Government House, Enugu, Governor Ugwuanyi expressed confidence that the visit to the state will go a long way in addressing recent security challenges in the State.