The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Mr Foluso Adebanjo, says the command should not blamed for the return of  suspected criminals often return to the society without prosecution.

Adebanjo said  in Benin last Sunday that there was need to overhaul the state justice department to correct the anomaly.

He said the police mandate was to prevent crime and to arrest suspected criminals, adding: “we are not responsible for any reason why arrested suspects often return to the society.

“That observation was made when I took over as the commissioner in the state and I promptly reported this observation to the governor who was angry over the incidents. I suggested the need for the overhaul of the justice department and we met with the Commissioner for Justice as well as the Chief Judge of the state on our observation. We are now collaborating on this in our determination to reduce acts of criminality in the state. This observation is not likely to reoccur again,’’ he said.

The commissioner said the command arrested no fewer than 100 suspected criminals in the last two months for alleged rape, cultism, armed robbery and kidnapping.

On the aiding of crime by officers and men, Adebanjo said that anyone found wanting would be disciplined, adding: “that there is no place for corrupt and indiscipline officer in the command.

“I have often preached the need for everybody in the command to follow the Inspector-General’s directive of zero-tolerance for crime at all times. “So, if any officer is found to run foul of the law, he or she will be disciplined according to the laws,’’ he said.