Onitsha — Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Chief Emeka Sibeudu, has said that crime prevention and fighting should be the collaborative effort of security operatives, while commending Governor Peter Obi's effort in the ongoing battle to make the state crime-free.

Sibeudu spoke at the passing out of the second professionally trained vigilante members at Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka at the weekend.

He said the present administration will continue to give priority attention to the security of life and property and expressed satisfaction with the training programme for members of the vigilante service and the relentless effort of the state coordinator of Anambra State vigilante outfit, Chief Kenneth Okonkwo, whom he said, has given a facelift to the state vigilante outfit.

He said the training will improve their proficiency in service delivery.

Also at the occasion, the police Commissioner, Mr. Philemon Leha, who was represented by his deputy, Mr. Oshodi Glover, charged members of the security outfit to avoid all actions capable of bringing the state vigilante to disrepute.

He warned the vigilante against misuse of firearms entrusted to them, adding that any abuse will attract the full weight of the law.

Leha also advised them not to detain any suspect or take the law into their hands as they are expected to respect the fundamental human right of suspected persons.

He commended them for the numerous times they assisted the police in tracking down criminals.

State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Emeka Chukwuemeka, added his voice, saying the training is very important in the ongoing effort to rid the state of criminals. The training, he said, will provide the members with relevant skills and commended Chief Okonkwo for moving the outfit to the next level.

In his speech, Chief Okonkwo said the graduating vigilante members under the reform programme were trained by the police, State Security Service (SSS), and other operatives in various ways. They were trained, he said, in information management, intelligent surveillance, self-defence, use of firearm and evacuation of accident victims.

He charged the newly trained members to be good ambassadors of the state outfit as negative report will attract sanctions.

According to him, the training is to inculcate in them discipline which will go a long way in preparing them to face the task of crime fighting, which is of great importance to the state government.