The Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has sought a robust collaboration with the media to curtail crimes in the zone.
Acting Zonal Director of the Benin Zonal Command, Mr Effa Okim, made the plea on Tuesday during a familiarisation visit to the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Warri Correspondents Chapel.
Flanked by some personnel of the command, Okim expressed displeasure over the spate of crime in the Benin zone, which according to him, comprised: Edo, Delta and Ondo state.
He said that the visit was to enable the anti-graft agency to deliberate with the media on how to collectively reduce the visibility of crimes from the streets in his jurisdiction.
Okim urged parents to morally guide their wards, saying that Edo and Delta are custodians of culture with brave and courageous people.
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“Barely a month that I have resumed as acting zonal director in the Benin command, I was shocked by the reality of crime here. I called my team to deliberate on how to eradicate the crime rate.
“I realised that we cannot succeed without partnering with the media. We have to do more of preventive rather than reactive.
“Collaborate with serious stakeholders, sensitise them on the need for stronger bonds, synergy and partnership. So that in turn, they can also communicate with the parents and their children.
“And see how far that can take us through. Having done all that, anybody who decides to be deviant, of course, will be hit by the law,” he said.
According to the acting zonal director, the anti-graft agency is an enforcer of the law and the partnership with the media is not personal but for professional reasons.
He said that the role of the media had been very vital to the success of the commission since its creation in 2003.
“The media has been very important to our commission in terms of positioning, both nationally and globally. They will not know us if you do not make them to see us. Your role is very critical to our achievement,” he said.
Okim recalled that when the colonial masters invaded the Benin Kingdom, the king told them that the people had a strong culture that could not be diffused by other cultures.
“The king ran to my state, Calabar, and was hosted by my leaders. Now, I am in Benin and happy for that.
“I am answering a call by my ancestors to come and revive that relationship and it must be seen, so, that means I must not fail in Benin because my people supported you to succeed.
“Same way you should support me to succeed. We do not have reasons to fail,” he said.
Okim expressed worries that the youth had derailed from the culture of bravery, courage and creativity the society was known for.
“There was consistency and sustenance of culture by our forefathers, but there is a complete disconnect from what is happening today.
Speaking on behalf of the Warri Correspondents Chapel, its chairman, Mr Okies Okpomor, thanked the commission for the visit and pledged the partnership of the media in the overall interest of the society.
NAN
