Expert Advocates Rapid Control Centres In Enugu To Fight Crime

A security consultant, Commandant Edwin Ugwuja (rtd), Wednesday, commended Gov Peter Mbah of Enugu State for adopting hi-tech security initiatives in cracking down crimes in the state.

Commandant Ugwuja, who once served as the state Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Taraba State, made the appraisal of the security initiatives in the state in an interview with THE WHISTLER.

He particularly commended Gov Mbah for establishing a Rapid Command and Control Centre in Enugu, which, he said, would enable accurate information gathering and rapid response of security operatives in emergency cases.

Ugwuja, however, recommended the establishment of additional two Rapid Command and Control Centres to cover the remaining two senatorial zones of the state. In his words, “I applaud the governor for establishing the centre in the state capital. But it is not enough to have just one Rapid Command and Control Centre to cover the entire state.

“Instead, there should be a command and control centre in the three senatorial zones of the state. The three will synergise and function optimally. This will enable the tracking of crimes along the boundaries of the state with other neighbouring states.”

The consultant said the infrastructural development of the state by the governor would also enhance the standard of the residents and reduce crimes. He mentioned the ongoing dualisation of Opi-Ugwuogo-Enugu road by the state government, which, he said, would eliminate frequent criminal activities, including kidnapping, along the axis.

He stated that, “Gov Mbah has achieved a lot in terms of infrastructural facilities. Health facilities being built across the state are commendable. In roads, the governor has done well, especially in the city centre. He is building smart green schools in all the wards in the state.

“The schools, I heard, will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. All these will check crimes because an educated and healthy person will be positively minded.”

He charged the residents of the state to be security conscious. He maintained that, “Security is everyone’s responsibility. If you see something, say something. Security operatives are not spirits. They are human beings like us. They need credible, actionable and timely intelligence to arrest ugly trends. The citizens must live up these expectations.”

He further advocated what he called “the whistle alert system in community security”. He stated that, “Every community vigilante group should sensitise the citizens on the use of whistle alerts to alert their neighbours when they suspect criminal activities in their neighbourhood. Such will alert everybody at the same time. It is the best way to raise alarms.

“Also, well-to-do people in communities should collaborate with the government through the establishing community security funds. Security is capital intensive. Let our well-meaning people help the government.

“Let them organise a security trust fund, and support relevant security initiatives. It is called citizens’ participation in the security of their people.”

Expert Advocates Rapid Control Centres In Enugu To Fight Crime is first published on The Whistler Newspaper