Crime Fighting: Police Boss Woos Private Sector

Worried over the high rate of crime in Nigeria, the Enugu state   Commissioner of Police,  Mr. Mohammed Zarewa,  has called for  private sector partnership with the  Nigerian Police Force (NPF) as a means of fighting crime in the country.

  Such  collaboration, he said,    was crucial in the war against crime fighting and prevention in Nigeria, adding  that  government alone cannot provide all the needed equipment and logistics needed by the police force to wage a serious war against crime in the society.

  According to him ,  Lagos State police command could boast of  its crime fighting capabilities today because the state government and the private sector are actively supporting the command with working instruments and funds, saying  that the Enugu command could achieve better result if it  enjoys such overwhelming  support and encouragement from the private sector and the state government.

   Zerewa, who made his feelings known in Enugu  during the  commissioning of the Senior Police Officers’ mess renovated by Nigerian Breweries  Plc,  however  declared  that  his command would  have also liked  to own  helicopters, vehicles and communication gadgets like its counterpart  in Lagos, saying that since  government alone cannot provide such items, then  there is need for the private sector to support the command by emulating the shinning example of the Nigerian Breweries.  

  His words:  “As part of their  corporate socio responsibility, there is the need  for the private sector to always collaborate  with officers and  men of the Nigerian Police Force in their  efforts to rid  the nation of hoodlums.”

  On  the current state of the community  policing project in the coal city state, Mr. Zarewa   assured   that the programme was waxing stronger, stressing  that it has recorded  a lot of positive feat in the area of intelligence gathering and crime prevention and control in the state since inception.  

“People are saying the Lagos police command is performing.  But they forget that it has companies helping it with equipment and logistics. I think they have about two helicopters. If other companies support us like Nigeria Breweries here, we will achieve great results too”, he assured.

   In his remarks on the occasion, the Managing Director /Chief Executive  Officer, NB Plc, Mr. Paul Hamers,  explained  that the renovation of the Police officers  Mess ,  took more time and resources than initially envisaged because the company was determined to give senior police officers a befitting place to relax and socialise.

  “I want to use this opportunity to once again commend the police command in Enugu state for the great support and cooperation  we have enjoyed over the years.  We appreciate your prompt response to our calls.  The special attention you have always accorded our Ama brewery is worthy of commendation.  For us, the police has indeed been a true and reliable friend.  On our part, we shall continue to identify with you always .”      

  The NB boss, who spoke through the Media Affairs Manager,  NB Plc AMA, Mrs. Emete Tonukari ,  said  the  organisation  through the project had been able to  strengthen her relationship with the police force in Enugu state, assuring that the relationship would be sustained .  According to him, the gesture was part of the  organisation’s corporate socio responsibility , noting that  “A few years ago, we were approached by police authorities in Enugu to assist with the renovation of this mess which was fast deteriorating and no longer serving the purpose it was meant for. Considering the importance we attach to the police and in appreciation of the wonderful cooperation we have enjoyed from the force in Enugu , the home of our biggest brewery, we did not hesitate to accede to that request” , he further explained.