Police Commissioner Promises Safer Edo
By Osehobo Ofure, Benin
The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Betty Enekpen Otimenyin, has assured residents, visitors, and business owners that her primary mission is to make the state a safe and secure environment.
Speaking with journalists in Benin for the first time on a visit to the NUJ Press Centre, since assuming office, Otimenyin urged the public to collaborate with the police in ensuring security across the state.
“Our purpose in coming to Edo State is to create a safe environment. We want everyone—whether residents or visitors—to feel secure and welcome,” she said.
“We aim to build a friendly environment where businesses can thrive, where people can live peacefully, and where the state’s tourism potential can flourish. We also want those in the diaspora to feel confident about coming home to invest,” the Commissioner said.
She emphasized the importance of community participation in security efforts.
She stated: “We want to create an environment where everyone feels safe. That is why we say, ‘If you see something, say something.’ Information is crucial because, with it, we can act effectively.”
The Police Commissioner also stressed the need for residents to be aware of their neighbors to help curb criminal activities such as armed robbery and cultism.
“We encourage you to know your neighbors—it is very important. Now that the laws on kidnapping and cultism have been domesticated, it simply means that if you rent out your house to such individuals, your property could be at risk of being demolished.
“So, be mindful of the people around you. Know who your friends are, who you relate with, and who your neighbors are. Be your brother’s keeper.
“Policing is a collective responsibility. It involves both you and me. We all have a role to play. What you sow is what you reap—if you witness a crime and stay silent, how can you be sure you won’t be the next victim? That is why we urge, ‘When you see something, say something,” she stressed.
