The National Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee, Olaniyan Ibrahim, has urged members of the committee in Nasarawa State to see commercial sex workers, motorcyclists, and street traders as vital agents in the fight against crimes.

He made the call in the Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State on Wednesday at the inauguration of the newly elected Nasarawa State executive and the 41st anniversary celebration of the PCRC.

He said, “Do not underrate commercial sex workers, miners, hoteliers, street hawkers, beggars, or commercial motorcyclists in the fight against criminality in our communities. The security of lives and property cannot be left in the hands of the Nigerian police and other security outfits. If the miners are ready to give information and expose kidnappers, honestly, the days of kidnappers in this state are numbered. If the hoteliers, landlords, okada riders and commercial sex workers are ready to help fight the criminals, honestly a lot will be achieved. So don’t underrate anybody.

“Engage and bring everybody on board because what a commercial sex worker, commercial motorcyclists, and street traders can see and know, some of us here cannot see. They are very vital in the fight against criminality. Work closely with them. When I was chairman of PCRC in one of the states, we worked closely with the commercial sex workers in small hotels. We did not undermine them and through information from them we achieved a lot.”

The national chairman reminded the new Nasarawa PCRC exco that security had nothing to do with status, religion, tribe or political affiliation, hence the need to operate an open-door policy to succeed in the fight against criminality.

He added, “Security is everybody’s business. We must be valuable partners to help Nigeria police. In PCRC we used to say something, which is if you see something, say something. If we all work with this in Nigeria and collaborate with everyone, the criminals in Nigeria will run away.’’

Also speaking, Nasarawa State chairman of PCRC, David Abuluya, in his acceptance speech assured members of peace and security.

“I urge the police and other security outfit officials here to help us so that we can help you. We at PCRC are ready to help you fight security challenges in the state. With the calibre of people here, I am overwhelmed. I want to assure you we will do our best,” he said.

He said that his team’s goal was to focus more in the rural areas across the state, gather information and enlighten the rural dwellers on what to do to help the police and other security outfits tackle insecurity.

He stated, “We will focus on the rural areas because the urban areas are enjoying adequate security, but the rural areas are the ones suffering. We will engage in enlightenment and emphasise community policing everywhere.’’.

The PCRC was initiated under the leadership of former inspector-general of police, Etim Inyang, in 1984 to foster a collaborative relationship between the police and the community with the goal of improving security and promoting peaceful coexistence.

Members of the newly inaugurated Nasarawa PCRC exco are David Abuluya as chairman, Ibrahim Jega as deputy chairman, Ibrahim Babayo as vice chairman for special duties, Beauty Okon as financial secretary, Hassana Maidoki as treasurer and Suleiman Halilu as public relations officer.

Others are Danlami Warande, ex officio; Mrs Pauline Gbande, ex officio; Sarah Irukera, ex officio; Attah Abubakar, assistant organising secretary; Prosper Anson, provost marshal; Douglas Dominic, organising secretary; and Philip Okorie as auditor. 

(NAN)