Due to the increasing wave of criminality in Umuahia, the Abia State Capital, the Nigerian Police force has called on communities to establish vigilante groups to assist them in fighting crimes.
Addressing traditional rulers, town union executives and market union leaders among other stakeholders during a town hall meeting yesterday in Umuahia, the Area Commander, Odion Ekeinde said no meaningful progress would be made without a synergy between the police and the public.
Ekeinde who noted that the men of the command were collaborating with communities in the state to ensure a successful fight against criminals, maintained that the high crime rate in the state was connected with incessant abuse of hard drugs by youths.
During the interactive session, the Chairman, Umuahia North Traditional rulers council, Eze Philip Ajomiwe among other participants were optimistic that community policing would go a long way in reducing crime in the area.
The participants who charged the police to be sincere in the discharge of their duties, called on the federal government to equip the police, in order to achieve greater results.