By Ozioruva Aliu

BENIN CITY – THE Edo Command of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) has organized a conference on curbing emerging crimes in Edo State and called for collaboration from all stakeholders to stem the tide.

The Conference held at the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Agency (JOOPSA) with the theme; “Curbing Emerging Crimes and Criminality in Edo State also had participants from other parts of the state where the Chairman of PCRC in the state, Ambassador Isaac Itseghosimhe in his welcome address said the conference was to address the security challenges facing the country and in particular Edo State.

He said development would elude any state including Edo without security stating that “At this crucial time, we must approach security with determination and collaboration. All stakeholders – citizens, law enforcement agencies, community, religious, and traditional leaders must work together to prevent and combat emerging and existing crimes.

Itseghosimhe stated that “the security challenges of the past and current ones call for an ‘all hands on deck’ approach. The security of lives and property is critical to any state’s development.”

“The responsibility of fighting crime lies with everyone – police, PCRC, security agents, and society. Together, we must deploy effective strategies and share information to create a safer environment for all.”

On his part, the National Vice Chairman, South-South of the PCRC, Ambassador, Kenneth Otuonunyo said “we must join hands with other sister law enforcement agencies, community leaders, local vigilantes, youth, and every like-minded body with the aim of coming together to mitigate against crimes in the best economical way possible thereby safeguarding the well-being of our communities and by implication Edo State.

“Let us therefore build a society where our children and families can live without the shadow of fear hanging over their hands. Where we are sure that our loved ones can go out and return safely without any iota fear in our minds.

“Let us make Edo State too hot for any criminal to pass through let alone reside. Let the mere mention of Edo State send quivers of fear into the criminal’s den, until such a time we have to keep doing our best to wade off these enemies of peace and progress.”

The Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Prophetess Courage Edobor-Eweka, while stating that this year’s theme was timely, noted that “as crime tactics evolve, so do our strategies. From cybercrimes to youth-related offenses.”