Police to deploy surveillance drones in Ekiti
The Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the South-West, Abiodun Alabi, on Monday, said the Nigeria Police Force would deploy drones and other technology to make Ekiti State and others crime-free.
Alabi, who spoke in Ado-Ekiti during his maiden visit to the state police command headquarters, said he was in the state to assess how to fight crimes in the region.
“Technology is very important, so we will migrate to imbibe the technological advances. Gadgets like drones will gather information for us and will dig into kidnappers’ hideouts and help to deal with them, instead of us rescuing victims.
“It’s obvious that we cannot effectively utilise our policing work without involving technological devices to assist us. We are not shying away from the use of drones, we are going to get used to it,” he said.
The DIG assured that the force would overcome the issue of manpower shortage with constant recruitment.
He said, “Manpower problem is peculiar to all the states. With the constant recruitment of police officers into the force, we will overcome the manpower issues. I want to tell you that without maximum security, our economy cannot strive.”
He said he was on a visit to the state on the instruction of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
“My coming to Ekiti State is to complete my assignment in the South-West geopolitical zone. My mission complies with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
“The IGP directed all DIGs in charge of the six geopolitical zones to embark on tours across the six geopolitical zones and assess the strategic deployment of our arsenals in crime fighting and see how our officers are doing their jobs.
“This is to enable us to know the challenges they are facing in the course of their duty, so that such can be addressed appropriately. This will help enhance their capacity and flexibility in delivering good services to the public,” he added.
The Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Command, Adeniran Akinwale, lauded the DIG for his proactive and selfless service in the NPF.
Adeniran said the state command under his leadership had successfully tamed the activities of criminal elements across Ekiti State by creating an enabling environment for citizens through the adoption and implementation of the community policing strategy.
