By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, on Thursday, assured the Nigeria Police of its continued support and partnership to fight crime and vices within the state.

The Chairman of the Council, Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu, made the pledge when the monarchs received the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mohammed Aliyu, on a courtesy visit to them at the House of Chiefs in Enugu.

Agubuzu said that the traditional rulers would ensure that the state remains the safest state in the country by working closely with the police and the state government to ensure security and peace.

He said: “As traditional rulers, we have no option but to totally support our amiable governor, Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who is a man of peace, who take issues of security seriously.

“As we are supporting the governor, we will ensure that the police get all the needed support, encouragement and advice to continue the positive work that has made the state the safest state in the country.”

He also gave assurance of the traditional rulers’ cooperation to the police especially for the newly inaugurated Special Constables or Community Policing Officers to work in their domains.

In his speech, Aliyu applauded the traditional rulers for the support given to the police, adding: “For the state to remain the safest, we must continue to work closely to keep the state enviable record.

“I need not remind us that we live in a time when all hands are highly expected to be on deck in tackling the security challenges facing us as a people and nation.

“At the heart of the critical set of people whose hands must, as a matter of necessity, be on this deck remains the royal fathers. This is because you are not just the custodians of our traditions, but also custodians of peace and order in our communities,” he said.

The Commissioner called on the traditional rulers to remain resolute in giving right leadership and fatherly guidance to the youths, which will greatly deter them from crime and vices.

He called on them to give maximum cooperation to the community policing model initiated by the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu.

“This is in view of the fact that you remain the core custodians of the modal in your communities.

“One of the major ways by which you can help make the modal work in your communities, is by supporting and cooperating with the Special Constables as they serve as a direct bridge between the police and community,” Aliyu said.