Hyacinth Chinweuba
The Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Province 47, has officially handed the renovated dogs training facilities and equipment to the Lagos Police Command.
The state Police Commissioner, CP Zubairu Muazu represented by Deputy Commissioner of Police in Charge of Finance and Administration, DCP Oqua Etim commended the RCCG for the gesture.
“Police Canine section was established in 1963 at Obalende, Lagos with six (6) dogs and six (6) handlers. The function of K9 section is to prevent and detect crime through the use of dogs. Police dogs are used for crowd control, perimeter surveillance and cordoning. Sniffer dogs help in detecting illicit drugs e.g. Cocaine, heroin, hemps, etc., explosives, arms and concealed corpse. They equally help in tracking suspects, search and rescue operations, searching for weapons and recovery of loss or stolen properties etc”
The CP further stressed that the dogs are used for apprehension of offenders resisting arrest or attempting to evade service, explaining that the police dogs can perform the function of 10 armed officers and that the K9 section, Lagos State command covers every part of Lagos.
The church also brought a 5KVA generator among other donations to facilitate the optimal utilization of the Police dogs in crime prevention, detection and apprehension of criminal.
“The use of the newly purchased training facilities will boost the performance of the trained dogs to help achieve the above-mentioned goals which will in turn lower crime rate in Lagos State”, the Commissioner added.
In addition, the Commissioner of police force animal branch (FAB) CP Aishatu Abubakardvm, PhD stated,
“This kind of Corporate Social Responsibility by one of our well-respected Christian denomination couldn’t have come at a time better than this. This is because of the myriads of security challenges facing our country vis-à-vis the paucity of funds our several security agencies are experiencing and the need of having as many and better platforms as possible to combat such ill vices”
Abubakardvm said that the Force Animal Branch is indeed grateful to the leadership of the Redeemed Christian church of God especially the Province 47 pastorate, for finding one of our facilities worthy of intervention by its Christian social responsibility program.
In her words “May I also assure you of the department unalloyed support and commitment towards ensuring a safer and protected Nigeria, which is one of the cardinal points of the present Police Management team”
“May I call on other well meaning Nigerians, cooperate entities, non governmental bodies, Religious organizations just to mention a few, to also emulate this kind gesture exhibited by the Redeemed Christian Church of God. By doing so, you will definitely be contributing immensely to the safety of our dear country and humanity in general. The security of every nation indeed, can never be left in the hands of government alone” Abubakardvm said.
In Abubakardvm words “Inspector-General of Police and his Management team. It is his directives that I reassure you of his commitment in not only ensuring a crime-free Lagos but Nigeria at large”
“That the demonstration of such a magnanimous gesture by a church can only be a booster for him to stay more focused; most especially in ensuring the safety of worshippers at their respective places of worship irrespective of their faith inclination at all times”
Abubakardvm further admonished officer and men in Lagos to see this kind of intervention as a call to serve, a motivation to do more and a reason to rededicate themselves in ensuring a virile and good K-9 service delivery to the wonderful people of Lagos state. I will charge you to always maintain the high standard, good decorum and strict professionalism you’ve always been known for.
Pastor Idowu Oluwamade from RCCG said that it is part of the Christian Social Responsibility program to contribute towards the development of the society.