…receives pioneer AIG of zone 17
Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has said that the creation of the zonal command of the Nigeria Police (Zone 17 ) comprising Ondo and Ekiti States is a move that would strengthen to community policing.
Governor Fayemi stated this on Tuesday when he received the pioneer AIG of the newly created Zone 17, Assistant Inspector General, David Folawiyo in his office in Ado- Ekiti.
The zone 17 police command, is one of the new zones created by the Force headquarters to bring improvement to community policing.
The governor commended the new AIG for his vast professional experience in community policing, investigation as well as in the Interpol. He noted that AIG Folawiyo’s extensive knowledge, experience, and exposure in policing would be of huge benefit to the states under the new zone.
The Governor said he believes the new AIG would contribute to the developmental agenda of the zone because the two states are inexplicably inter-twined culturally and security-wise.
Fayemi said: “We are delighted that this has finally happened. For us, its further advancement in bringing police closer to the community. Before now, we used to be part of Zone 8 which has its base in Lokoja which is frankly not a demonstration of proximal policing in any sense. Lokoja is very far from us and we have been agitating and glad that the current Inspector General of Police harkened to our voice and Mr. President approved the devolution of policing to the local level.
“People commit crime in Ekiti state and they can walk and come out of Ondo state via our bushes, you will not even know how they got there. Being in charge definitely speaks to our own commitment to community policing which we’ll benefit from your own extensive knowledge and experience.
The Governor promised to assist and collaborate with the zonal command to counter any initial challenges they might face in the course of their duty so that the work will not be affected in any negative way.
Earlier, the new AIG, David Folawiyo, had said that the zone would be at the forefront of combating crime at the level of community policing and other important aspects of general security.
The AIG assured the governments of the two states that the activities of the command would be participatory through mentoring and ensuring the training of all principal actors and stakeholders.
He promised to collaborate with the government in his drive to achieve success during his tenure in the zone.
According to the AIG, “Our focus is going to be community policing, partnership, and transformation; we have new plans and strategies to make governance better from the angle of security. We would be front liners in general security and community policing in zone 17.” he added.
Last modified: July 14, 2020
