Former Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme, has commended the new initiative of the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, on community policing, describing it as laudable.

He made the commendation at the occasion of inauguration of Eminent Persons’ Forum at the Prof Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre in Awka, Anambra State.

While referring to the initiative as something long preached for, Ekwueme observed that this time, it is being configured in such a way that the work of crime prevention is not left for the police alone.

The former Vice President added that with the involvement of community leaders, members of the community and local vigilantes, the task of crime prevention will be optimised.

Earlier in his address, the State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, noted that security is important for meaningful investment to thrive. He described the project as a wonderful idea.

Obiano, represented on the occasion by his deputy, Dr Nkem Okeke, called on the public to avail the police with credible information to optimise their work.

“The police are seen not with the best of intention in society, but they cannot be our perpetual enemies. We should see them as our friends; that is the only way they can work harder to protect our life and property,” he stated.

On his part, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, hailed the Acting IGP for the initiative. He tasked the police on policing the grassroots, saying that it would be self deceit to believe that criminals are seen only in the urban areas.

Achebe, who spoke through a member of his cabinet, Chief B.O Adibo, said the urchins today that operate in villages would graduate to big-time kidnappers and armed robbers in the future if not properly handled.

In his address the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Sam Okaula said: “Eminent Persons’ Forum is one of the pillars of IGP Ibrahim Idris in the realisation of the need to carry the people along in policing a complex society such as ours.”

He urged members of the forum not to hesitate to expose police complicity, compromise, inefficiency, corrupt tendencies or any other act of infraction adding that the Acting IGP had put in place mechanisms to checkmate such unprofessional traits.

•Photo shows Acting IGP Ibrahim Idris.