The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, on Friday said that the Nigeria Police Force would partner with Nigerian students to fight crimes in the country.

• Idris stated this when officials of the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) honoured him with Chief Peace Builder award in Abuja.
• He also assured the students of the readiness of the police to partner with them in ensuring the security of lives and property on campuses.
• The police boss, however, appealed to them to always volunteer useful information on suspicious people within their domain.
• He appealed to the people to develop cordial relationship with the police stressing, “the police is your friend, especially you, the law-abiding citizens”.
• The National President of the association, Adeyeye Olugbenga said the award was in recognition of his untiring efforts at promoting peace through proactive policing.
• Olugbenga commended the police for curtailing cultism on campuses and tackling cattle rustling, armed robbery, kidnapping and other social vices in the country.
• The student leader assured the law enforcement agents of their support in the fight against criminality in the country.

Bottom line: The Police understands that crime fighting cannot be done only with arms and intimidation but, with an active partnership. Therefore, this is a welcome development.

Yet, we must appeal to the Police not to allow this partnership be abused.