The Police Command in Cross River has reiterated its commitment to collaborate with the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) to strengthen intelligence gathering for effective crime control.
The Commissioner of Police, Ajo Ordue, made the expression on Wednesday in Calabar when Dr Hayford Edet, the VGN Commander in the state visited him.
Ordue said that effective community policing required timely intelligence, active community participation, and closer cooperation between the police and credible local security groups.
He urged the VGN to support proactive policing by promptly reporting suspicious activities, sharing credible information, and helping security agencies to identify emerging threats.
“This partnership must operate within the law, it should strictly adhere to professionalism, discipline, and respect for human rights,” he said.
The police chief warned the local security group against jungle justice, unlawful detention, and abuse of authority
He said that community-based security efforts should complement rather than undermine lawful policing and the administration of justice.
In his response, Edet reaffirmed the group’s commitment to supporting lawful security initiatives, and strengthening cooperation with the police.
He said that the meeting reflected the need for intelligence-led policing and greater stakeholder participation in crime prevention.
The VGN commander urged residents of communities to remain vigilant, and provide credible information to security agencies.
“The maintenance of law and order is a shared responsibility that requires cooperation, vigilance, and respect for human rights,” he said.(NAN)
