The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG Zone 17, comprising Ondo and Ekiti States, Ajani Omolabi, says the adoption of community-based policing has drastically reduced the crime rate and ensured safety in the zone.

Mr Omolabi revealed this in an interview with journalists in his office, Akure, on Saturday.

The assistant inspector-general noted that the strategy has helped in fostering collaboration between the police and communities.

He also identified the use of technology, strengthening local security structures, adopting an open-door policy to encourage public participation and information sharing, as well as focusing on intelligence-led policing to dismantle criminal networks in the zone.

This approach, according to him, aligns with the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun’s mandate to reduce crime rates and improve internal security through a professionally competent and intelligence-driven police force.

He explained that effective policing could not be left in the hands of police personnel alone.

The AIG said that the vision of the inspector-general of police was to prioritise intelligence gathering and community policing.

“Since my arrival here, the rate of crime and criminality has drastically reduced. Well, it is by the grace of God and the supervisory role we play in the two states.

“The two Commissioners of Police are working assiduously to ensure crime is brought to the lowest level.

“We practice feasibility policing and intelligence policing in accordance with the police mission and vision.

“That is, every one of us goes out to every nook and cranny of the state and ensures that we practice community policing through intelligence policing, and that has helped to ensure criminality is brought under control.

“We also operate an open-door policy. People are accessible to us, so getting information is not difficult for us, for enforcement.

“People call us, they write us about the information of crime in their areas and communities and we make sure it is enforced immediately,” he said.

According to him, police enjoy the cooperation of the communities in the zone.

He added that there was regular training and re-training of officers and men of the police being championed by the inspector-general of police.

“We also thank our able Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who has ensured that training and re-training become the order of the day in the Nigeria Police.

“So, it also helps in the policing of our communities.

“We also thank the governments of Ondo and Ekiti States for their contributions to ensure that it’s very easy for us to fight crime,” he said.

(NAN)