By Christopher Oji
The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) has called on the public to collaborate with the Police in the fight against crime and crimiality.
National President of PCRC, Alhaji Ibrahim Mogaji Olaniyan, made the call at the 41st anniversary of the PCRC and the foundation laying ceremony of a hall at the Hajj Camp Police Station, Murtala Mohammed Airport Road, Ikeja.
Olaniyan said that war against crime should not be left in the hands of the police alone, adding that all hands must be on the deck to fight for crime reduction.
He said the committee would continue to support the police because they were aware that the service alone cannot fight crime in the society.
“Majority of fencing projects, repair of vehicles across the country are embarked upon by the members of PCRC. The issue of security is beyond what you will leave in the hand of the government. So the majority of police buildings are embarked upon by PCRC.
“In fact, in Lagos state, we have so many projects. Recently Lagos State PCRC provided close to 200 phones so Lagosians can have access to our policemen, and we are recharging them. There are so many things we are supporting the police on.
“When I was PCRC PRO in Ogun State, there was a time I donated blood to an injured policeman who was shot by armed robbers. They were looking for blood and I offered myself immediately.
“I thank God the police officer in question is still in service. I visited Ekiti State recently and a senior officer there stood up to greet me that I donated blood for him when he was attacked by criminals as DPO Ogbere. We also raised money then. So, we are police partners and are proud of them because the police are the best in terms of workforce that we have in this country.
“I stand to be corrected. I can challenge anybody that the bad eggs in Nigeria Police are 5%. You know, we are 41 years in relationship with Nigeria police. We are their closest partner, and we are all from all works of life. We know what happens in other services,” said Olaniyan.
Continuing, he said the information PCRC provides to the police were free, disowning anyone who trades intelligence for money or any material gain.
“We have our own big effort in prevention and control of crime, especially seeing what our people are doing in Borno and Yobe. We are not relenting in South South either. Across the country we are supporting Nigeria Police and we are proud of doing that and will continue to do that,” he said.
Olaniyan also commended Inspection General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, describing him as the best police chief in the history of the PCRC.
Earlier Police Commissioner (CP) in charge of Airport Command, Olufunke Ogunbode,
CP Ogunbode, described the PCRC as distinguished and worthy partners of the police in crime prevention and control.
Ogunbode,who noted that the police have enjoyed seamless relationship and support from the PCRC over the years, encouraged members of the organisation to continue to be good citizens with identifiable sources of livelihood.
According to her, the notion from the public that PCRC members were police informants was wrong, stressing that they were invaluable partners of the police undertaking voluntary services for a safer society.
The police boss recalled a personal experience when she was deployed to Ibadan, Oyo State as a cadet ASP and did not know anyone nor had an accommodation.
“But my DPO then said I should not worry that he will call the PCRC chairman in the state. He assured me that they were good partners of the police and when he called the chairman, I was immediately sorted. Since then, my relationship and experience with the PCRC has been wonderful,” she said.
In the area of intelligence, the CP said the PCRC have been the eyes of the police in the communities, providing timely and credible information to fight crime.
“For record purposes PCRC members are well-meaning members of the public. They are dignified people in the society. We don’t have miscreants among them. So they are at variance with anything that will constitute crime and criminality to the society.
“We have enjoyed that collaboration from them and that is why if they have anything doing, they have a positive ally in us. The relationship has recorded tremendous progress. The police and PCRC share a very good bond.
“You are not informants you are helping us to combat crime. In as much as it’s not easy to combat crime but through your help we are reducing crime to the barest minimum.
“We appreciate you we love you and I know God loves you most,” said the CP.
She commended the PCRC on the building project at the police station, adding that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has urged that the project be completed within 10 months.