Legislators in Southern Nigeria’s Cross River State have pledged to support the Nigerian Police Force to enhance its efforts in safeguarding the lives and properties of citizens.
The lawmakers, led by the Speaker, Eteng Jonas Williams, made the commitment during an official visit to the Cross River State Police Command headquarters in Calabar, the capital city.
Williams, who was received by the Police Commissioner, Sikiru Akande, expressed appreciation to the police for working hard to reduce criminalities in Cross River.
According to him, “we are here to visit with the officers and men of the police command and to appreciate their efforts in safeguarding the lives and property of our people. Since Commissioner Akande arrived the state we have witnessed a tremendous improvement in security.
“For a man, who has made impact in the short time he arrived here, we are proud to associate with him, check up on him to see how he and the entire command is doing,” the Speaker said.
Restoring confidence
The speaker of the state assembly commended the police for restoring the confidence of the people and tackling kidnapping, which negatively affected economic activities and even social gatherings particularly in Calabar.
Eteng, who noted that the incidences of kidnap was drastically reduced said, “for us and on behalf of Cross River State, we thank you CP for all you have been doing. Before your arrival, kidnapping was rampant; in a day more than five people could be kidnapped.
“But now, the community policing is more effective and with the Operation Akpagu (a joint internal security operations launched last year by the Cross River State Government), your men have done a great job,” he stated.
The legislator promised that through its relationship with the executive, lawmakers would press for vehicles and other logistics to enhance patrol across the state.
Responding, the Police Commissioner, Sikiru Akande appreciated the lawmakers for taking time out to visit the command especially on day twenty-five suspects were being paraded before press men.
Akande said that officers and men within the command were resolute to end kidnapping, cultism and communal crisis as well as other social vices.
He said, “our successes are visible for everyone to see. But, we must appreciate the Cross River legislature for its support to us, which has contributed to the gains we have recorded so far. There is peace in the command and we are committed to remain peaceful.”
Avoid communal wars
The Police Commissioner used the opportunity to warn against communal wars, which usually occur during the rainy season over farm lands.
He stated, “we are not going to take it easy with any communities that spark off communal crisis. I have warned before and urged traditional leaders to intervene. I am warning again, the Nigeria Police Force will deal ruthlessly with communities engaged in wars or crisis of any kind.
“We are appealing to everyone to maintain the peace there is. Rather than take laws into your hands, please approach us with whatever issues there may be and we will promptly resolved such problems. We do not need any people with evil intentions to take advantage of communal crisis or wars to achieve their wicked aim. So, we urge our people to avoid any communal crisis or wars,” he begged.
Akande also commended the media for the support given to the police and appealed for further collaborations to achieve greater success.
Meanwhile, the command paraded twenty-five suspects for sundry crimes including a police inspector for alleged involvement in gun running.
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