Afikpo North local government area of Ebonyi State has adopted community policing in its fight against kidnapping and other security challenges.
The chairman of the local government, Hon Uchenna Ibiam, who made the disclosure after an enlarged security meeting at the council headquarters, said the goal would be achieved through intelligence gathering.
Ibiam said the unanimous decision was taken in response to the kidnapping incident in Afikpo on New Year Day.
In the incident, a United States (US)-based Afikpo woman lost her life while two others were kidnapped and later released after paying a ransom of N50 million.
The meeting was attended by security chiefs, traditional rulers, town union presidents, youth presidents, women groups, executives of okada unions, political leaders and other stakeholders.
Hon Ibiam expressed displeasure and regret that some youths could connive with outsiders to cause mayhem in their own town and called on the critical stakeholders to join hands with government to forestall future occurrence of such dastardly act.
In his reaction, the police area commander, Afikpo, ACP James Ihiade, commended the council chairman for his proactive disposition to security matters. He stressed the need for teamwork to secure the life and property of innocent people of the council.
