The Police Command in Nasarawa State has reiterated its commitment to partner with the Nasarawa State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to tackle criminal elements.
Commissioner of Police (CP) in the state, Mr. Adesina Soyemi, stated this while he received officials of NUJ on a familiarization visit at the Police Headquarters in Lafia, the state capital.
Soyemi said that the importance of the media towards the development of all the sectors of the economy including security cannot be ignored hence the need for the partnership.
He explained that the police under his leadership have been able to tackle kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and other criminal activities within the short period he was posted to the state.
He added that all the black spots that were notorious of criminal activities prior to his coming to the state are now safe due to the security strategies adopted by the Command.
He said the command has deployed a 24-hours anti robbery patrol teams to the Federal University of Lafia and Shaibu and Azuba axis due to recent criminal activities in the areas.
“Since our men were sent to those axis, criminals have disappeared and we will work to ensure security of lives and property of those living in those areas,” the CP said.
He said that journalists were always there reporting the feats achieved by the Police and other security agencies toward tackling crime and the police would forever remained grateful to them.
The CP also lauded Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State for his continues support to the police in their fight against crime.
He said that the governor has demonstrated genuine determination to ensure there is peace across the state and in boarder communities with neighbouring states.
Soyemi however said the police is facing some challenges in the state including shortage of vehicles and appeal for support in that regard to strengthen their operational capacity.
Responding to the request by the NUJ Chairman, Salihu Alkali, the Commissioner of Police therefore promised to deploy armed Police personnel to protect the NUJ Press Centre in Lafia.
Meanwhile, the NUJ Chairman who led other officials, congratulated the CP on his deployment to the state and promised that journalists would give him the necessary support and publicity to succeed.
The NUJ Chairman also said the CP has so far done well in tackling criminal elements within the little time he has been in the state.
He however appealed that the police should put more effort and also requested that armed personnel should be deploy to the NUJ Press Centre to provide security to journalists and other visitors.
Nnenna.O
