Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has called on communities in the South-East to partner with the police in the fight against crime in the region.

Idris made the call in his opening address at the South-East security summit organised by the Nigeria Police Force at the Imo Trade and Investment Centre , Owerri.

The summit which is entitled: “Community Policing: Rethinking National Security Framework For National Development”, had in attendance all the governors of the region, Commissioners of Police and traditional rulers in the zone.

He emphasised the need for communities to cooperate with the police, stressing that the police could not overcome the current security challenges in the country without the support of the people.

” The communities should partner with the police in identifying crime and dealing with it.
“Under this approach, the police is engaging traditional rulers, faith-based organisations, market women, students and Non-governmental organisations in resolving crimes in different communities.

“The police need communication and information technology infrastructure, forensic and scientific aids for investigation,” among other things,” idris said.

He enjoined Nigerians to appreciate the police for the progress they had so far recorded in combating crime.

He cited recent successes achieved by the Force in the region to include “the re-arrest and eventual death of the notorious kidnapper known as Vampire and the arrest and prosecution of another Kidnapper known as Evans.”

The inspector-general, therefore, urged the people of the region to support the present administration and the police force, , saying, “the security architecture of any nation is not strong without the people”.

In his address, the President of Ohaeneze Ndigbo, a Pan-Igbo socio-cultural group, John Nwodo called for the total restructuring of the police force to enable it to address security challenges facing the country.