Pubdate: Mon, 07 Jul 2008 Source: Ghanaian Times, The (Ghana) Copyright: 2008 The Ghanaian Times Contact: http://www.newtimesonline.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4812 WAR AGAINST CRIME THE arrest of 157 suspected criminals and drug peddlers in parts of Accra recently marks a watershed in the effort of the security agencies to rid the society of miscreants. The alleged criminals were arrested at their hideouts in a dawn swoop in a joint police/military exercise at Alajo, Avenor, Kwame Nkrumah Circle, Abossey Okai, Darkuman, Cable and Wireless, Neoplan Station and La Wireless, all in Accra. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Patrick Timbilla, the exercise had become necessary to rid the country of criminals and drug peddlers. He said one Ak 47 rifle, two small sharp axes and a sharp knife were retrieved from some of the suspects. Also retrieved were quantities of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp wrapped in polythene bags. The Times takes this opportunity to congratulate the police-cum military patrol team for the wonderful job done. We hope and pray that they will not rest on their oars but will continue until all the criminals have been flushed out. The Times is in no doubt about the significance of these arrests. They will make residents of Accra and its surrounding areas have their peace of mind in the knowledge that the terrorists are in police grip. However, the Times will like to appeal to the general public to volunteer information that will enable the police to deal with crime effectively. It is a fact that thieves are not the only menace to society. There are drug pushers out there corrupting the youth and leading them into crime. The Times appeals to the IGP and his men to extend the war on criminals to drug pushers. Indeed, when such characters are flushed out, law abiding citizens would get a more peaceful environment that will induce people to work harder for progress. While we are at it, the Times takes the opportunity to re-echo an earlier appeal to the government to equip the police with the needed logistics and improved working conditions to enable them to give of their best. While the society expects the police to work harder, they need to be well equipped to aid them to do their very best. Once again, the Times congratulates the security agencies for their wonderful performance regardless of the limited resources at their disposal.