The Commissioner of Police in Enugu, Mr. Ahmed Abdurrahman, has called for closer synergy among Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) and the Neighbourhood Watch Group (NWG) in Enugu State.

Abdurrahman, represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr Fred Ekeotu, made the call during an meeting between the PCRC, NWG and the Nigeria Police in Enugu on Tuesday.

The meeting was organised by the Enugu State Police Command in conjunction with the Nigeria Policing Programme (NPP).

The commissioner noted that security remained everybody’s business, as no security agency can effectively police a community without effective collaboration of members of the community and other policing actors.

“I must commend the PCRC and NWG for assisting the police to keep security and order in Enugu State all these years.

“However, the Command demands more in terms of close synergy and collaboration between the PCRC and NWG to ensure that all resident of Enugu State sleep with their two eyes closed.

“The PCRC should act out its intelligence gathering well in the rural communities; while the NWG should act with precision to arrest any situation or person found to be threat to the security of lives and property.

“This is the basis on which community-oriented policing strive; as members of a community and policing actors work in close partnership to improve security and work ahead of criminals,” he said.

Earlier, Mr Solomon Akpanufot, the State Intervention Lead of NPP, noted that the organization was working with the Nigeria Police through organizing trainings and meetings to strengthen community-oriented policing in the state.

"The bottom-line is to ensure we help the police and the residents build a secured environment,’’ Akpanufot, who was represented by Mr Robert Ndukwe, said.

Mr Sunday Ugwu, State Chairman of NWG, noted that the PCRC and the NWG work for the same purpose and objective, “which is to assist the police to enhance security in various communities”.

“Since we pursue one purpose, it is needful that we work as one and see ourselves as partners in order to ensure that the ultimate aim of a secured community and state is achieved,” Ugwu said.

Dr Dominic Ezema, State Chairman of PCRC, thanked the NPP and the Nigeria Police for seeing the need to host and come out strongly to cement the close working relationship between PCRC and NWG.

“As we strive to put security ahead, we will henceforth invite and incorporate NWG in all PCRC monthly meetings as well as thinker other ways to improve the existing relationship,” Ezema said.

Highlight of the event was the commissioner inauguration of PCRC Lay Visitors to police stations and area commanders in the state.

The PCRC Lay Visitors would liaison with the police and the members of their communities where these police stations exist as well as help to improve police-public relationships.

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