Police AIG Meets Disengaged Revenue Collectors Over Crime Increase in Edo

The Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 5, Alhaji Abubakar Adamu  Mohammed, has met with aggrieved revenue collectors across Edo state over the increase in Crime in the state.

Addressing the stakeholders on Thursday at the Zone 5 Police Headquarters in Benin City, the AIG the meeting was to reduce the incessant crime cases in the state.

He said the state has enjoyed relative peace for  quite some time until information got to them that some groups amongst them are warming up to foment trouble and cause mayhem since they have been disengaged by the Edo state government.

"The purpose of this meeting is for crime prevention. We are all aware of the fact that the state is very peaceful and the crime rate of the state is low. We have businesses going on without molestation. We have nightlife and everything is perfect.

"However, we got intelligent that  some group of people are not happy with the recent happenings because of some policy pronouncement and that they are likely going to do some act that will lead to the breakdown of law and order and to heighten tension in the state because of criminality and we feel that the people we need to partner with is you. 

"You are the people we are to partner with so as to know where the problems are and how we can tackle the problem so as to prevent commission of crimes and to prevent the breakdown of law and order. That is the essence of which we invited you here today because without you, we will not be able to know where the grievance are and you have a lot of membership", he said.

Confirming the rate of crime and criminality in the state, State Chairman, Road Transport Employee Association of Nigeria, Pastor Sunday Erhahon said the association has many workers who have been laid off due to the disbandment of various revenue collectors in the state and this might in one way or the other force them to take to crime and criminality in the state as an idle mind is the devil's workshop.

Chairman, Akugbe Venture, Comrade Tony Kabaka noted that he has 2,722 persons working under him likewise other associations and that since the government came up with his new policy of using the point of service, (POS) they have been rendered jobless.

"For the revenue side like me, I have a database of 2,722 workers all over the state, they are jobless as we speak likewise the Road Transport Employer, likewise the Drivers Rebirth, the Drivers on Wheels, likewise with the National Union of Road Transport and the Drivers Welfare.

"Sir,the latest development will not help the youth. We want you to use your good office to appeal to the governor to streamline the revenue collection this way? To start with, revenue collectors do not have a central park where vehicle can queue up and use the POS because most drivers are illiterate.

He said the state government should give them target to meet and  the rule and regulation that should guide and bind the revenue collectors rather than disbanding them alrightly.

The state commissioner of police, Mr. Haliru Gwandu in his contributions, thanked the various stakeholders for speaking their minds noting that such interaction would engender last peace and reduce the rate of crimes in the state.