The Nigeria Police Force has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the security of lives and properties through a robust intelligence network for sustainable economic and social development.
Sikiru Akande, the Commissioner for Police in Cross River State, south-south Nigeria, gave the assurance when he met with newsmen in Calabar, the capital city.
Akande, who described his appointment and posting to Cross River as a homecoming, asserted, “we have created a robust intelligence network and platform with members of the public and private individuals and confidence building. Processes that will ensure economic and social development of the state.”
He stressed, “let me state clearly that I am not a stranger in Cross River State. To that end, the security situation in the three senatorial districts has been taken note of.”
“It is imperative to let the people know that I am in town strictly to ensure security of lives and properties as such the command is going to wage relentless and serious onslaught on criminals across the State,” reiterated Akande.
The Police Commissioner noted the command’s preparedness to improve on the existing synergy with sister security agencies, community and youth leaders, spiritual leaders, the Police Community Relations Committee, PCRC, Eminent Persons Forum, EPF and other critical stakeholders in crime-fighting.
Achievements
According to Akande, the command has already recorded some achievements with the arrest of ten criminal suspects through the “resilience and doggedness of the officers and men to rid the State of criminal elements just within the period of my deployment as the Police Commissioner of the Cross River State Command.”
He stated, “a total number of ten suspects were arrested and two 4 locally made pistols, one English locally made pistol with six rounds of 9mm ammunition, one 4 live cartridges, one handset, ATM cards, scissors and narcotics were recovered.”
The Commissioner hinted that the command was embarking on renovations of infrastructure within the barracks and other formations to improve the welfare of personnel.
Akande said, “since I came, I have instructed that a structural appraisal be conducted within the command and partner with well-meaning Cross River people to restore some of those infrastructures. One of the buildings here has serious historical value not only to the police but the State and nation.”
“The welfare of our officers and men is paramount to the Inspector General of Police and my coming to Cross River by road afforded me the opportunity to inspect some of our formations and get first-hand view of what is needed,” he noted.
Stakeholder Collaboration
He urged stakeholders in Cross River to support the efforts of the Police to end communal clashes, kidnapping, armed robbery as well as all forms of domestic violence and other social vices.
“Let me advise community leaders to always weigh the consequences and aftermath of communal clashes before embarking on such barbaric, wasteful and anti-developmental projects, but rather strive towards the noble venture,” the Police boss stated.
He further urged the people to provide “useful information to the police without fear of molestation or betrayal to perform their constitutional assigned role in our dear state, which is God’s own paradise gift to humanity.”
Sikiru Kayode Akande assumed office as the 41st Police Commissioner in Cross River State southern Nigeria on Monday 18th January, 2021.
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