The Chairman of the Imo State Chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) Comrade Humphrey Osuji, has advocated for an understanding and synergy between security agencies and the youths in the state. He reasoned that this when achieved would help to promote peace, trust, human rights and conducive atmosphere in fighting and preventing crime in the state.
The youths leader stated this while addressing newsmen during the Imo State Police, Youth and Women Dialogue on Insecurity and Crime Prevention which held at the Rockview Hotels Owerri, recently, and organized by African Youths Initiative on Crime Prevention (AYICRIP) in partnership with Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC). The event attracted stakeholders including security agencies, resources persons, women and youths.
Comrade Osuji, observed that the theme of the event: “Addressing Insecurity and Crime Prevention through Partnership Building” was an invitation for all stakeholders to make conscious efforts towards reducing tension in the state arising from violent and criminal activities among other factors. He said that to achieve this, those concerned including security agencies, the youths and others should work collaboratively towards building understanding that enhances crime fighting in one angle and respect for human life and rights on the other hand.
He used the opportunity and appreciated the Imo State Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, for his responsiveness and professionalism in managing security situations in the state, including intolerance to the abuse of the rights of citizens by some errant officers, and urged the police boss not to relent in his good job in the state.
He said: “The security dialogue is a very wonderful one. I think this is the first of its kind in Imo State. I really appreciate the organizers for this wonderful forum that enabled the youths and women to interact with the police in the state on issues of insecurity, crime prevention and human rights abuses. We have stated our grievances as youths in the state about some of the unprofessional conducts of some police officers towards the youths and the assurances we l received were satisfactory towards changing the situation.”
Comrade Osuji, while acknowledging that some youths might have involved themselves in bad behaviours, however, advocated for reorientation among them. “I think that it is not one-sided like blaming security agencies alone as some youths also need to be reoriented because some of us have this perspective that police officers are their enemies without realizing that ensuring security which is the core mandate of the police is everyone’s business.
“I am happy with the promise from the police authorities to create a platform for interactions between the police and the youths, and I think that will help to educate the youths also on their responsibility to respect security operatives while performing their duties in-line with the law. I believe that we have to project this slogan: ‘Don’t confront the police, don’t confront security agents in Imo State’ in order to achieve good working relationship and synergy between the police and the youths in Imo State,” he added.
He used the opportunity and pleaded with security agents to desist from harassing, intimidating and exploiting innocent youths in the state as well as counseled the youths in the state to be civil always while engaging security agents on duty, and to try their best not to engage in criminal and violent activities despite that the country is facing bitting socio-economic challenges that have pushed many Nigerians into frustrations.
