The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) has thrown its weight behind the Federal Government on the plans to establish state police.
Alhaji Mogaji-Ibraheem Olaniyan, the National Chairman of PCRC, said this during the election and inauguration of the new leadership of Police Headquarters, Zone 13, in Ukpo, Anambra, on Wednesday.
The election produced 21 officers, with Mr Onyebuchi Okeke as chairman and Ken Iloanya as deputy chairman.
Olaniyan said PCRC was confident that state police would be effective and result-orientated under IGP Olatunji Disu because of his deep understanding of the concept of community policing.
He said the PCRC would be the watchdog on behalf of Nigerians to ensure it worked and would lead the campaign against it if it derailed.
“Our fears before now were that state governors would use state police as political weapons against opponents.
“But with the framework the Federal Government is putting in place and Disu as the pioneer IGP who will oversee it, we have confidence that it will work.
“PCRC is going to support states that operate state police just as we are supporting the Federal Police,” he said.
Olaniyan congratulated the newly elected executive of PCRC Zone 13, describing the election as keenly contested and peaceful.
He charged the new leadership to work harmoniously and continue to support the police to help them deliver on the task of combating crime and ensuring a peaceful society.
“The election was keenly contested and peaceful; everybody is happy, and that is the mandate the IGP gave us to ensure everybody is involved,” he said.
Mr Chukwuemeka Nweke, a member of the new leadership, said the role of PCRC in effective policing could not be overemphasised, as security was a shared responsibility.
Nweke said as Vice Chairman 1 of the new team, he would help to mobilise support for the police in the zone.
In his remark, Okeke described his emergence as a victory for all, adding that though he was the chairman, the task was for everyone and could only be achieved collectively.
He said the PCRC would continue to provide the Community support the Police needed to do their job.
“I appreciate the national chairman for conducting an election that is open and acceptable to everybody. I also thank all PCRC members under Zone 13 for believing in my vision,” he said.
