From JOE EFFIONG, UYO
The Nigeria Police Force has promised to deal decisively with any hotelier in Akwa Ibom State who would turn their hotels into hideouts for any criminal elements to perpetrate electoral crimes during the forthcoming general elections.
Okunlola Kamaldeem, the Assistant Inspector General of Police in-charge of Zone 6, Calabar, Cross River State, who gave the warning at a security stakeholders’ meeting held at police headquarters, Ikot Akpanabia, Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, said that the measure was in line with the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba’s zero crime tolerance policy for a safer Nigeria society.
Kamadeem however advised operators of hotels and others in hospitality industry in the state on the need to be mindful of who they offer their services to in order to free the society of crime and criminality, especially now that political activities in lieu of 2023 general elections heighten up.
The AIG also advised them to work in synergy with the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in their various localities, and report promptly any suspicious person or movement in their environment to the police.
“The resolved of all police formations under my command as handed down by the IGP Usman Baba is to ensure a zero crime environment now, during and after the general elections in the country.
“We will ensure that that is done as part of our responsibility to ensure a crime-free environment for the conduct of all political activities in the interest of the society and for every citizen to sleep well, go about his or her legitimate businesses without fear of attack by anybody.
“The command will therefore not hesitate to invoke the full weight of the law against any hotelier and others in the hospitality industry in this state who will turn his or her premises into a hiding place for political thugs or other vices capable of disrupting peace and positive living.
“Be of knowledge also that as hotelier, if you work hand in hand with PCRC and the police, the crime rate in the environment will be reduced if not eradicated and the society will be saved for investment to thrive” AIG Kamaldeem posited.
AIG also warned politicians in Akwa Ibom to shun all forms of violence and thuggery that are usually perpetrated during elections as such would no longer be tolerated.
He said that rather than engage in such ignominious act, politicians should be peaceful in carrying out their electioneering activities since election anywhere is not do or die exercise.
“Let them play the game according to the rules and go about their campaigns peacefully and lawfully. We will however, deal with any politician who engages in violence crime or any form of thuggery,” Kamaldeem said.
He gave the assured that the police would continue to perform their duty as specified by the constitution of the Federal Republican the Nigeria, saying; “We will do our best to ensure that the 2023 forthcoming general election is peaceful,”
The Zone 6 AIG also advised against “I don’t care attitudes” by members of the public towards one another in event of security crisis or attack, and called on everyone to be good neighbour to each other since next victim of security attack may be you.
“We are civil policemen who are your friends, not masquerades that you should disparage or run way from. As members of the public, there are roles you must play in the society to keep it safe and peaceful.
“These roles include living peacefully with your neighbours, give timely information to the police on any suspicious movement of person around your environment, see policemen as good people and friends who are out to protect you and your property, not as bad people. .
“Eradication of crime is an ongoing process, as you are aware, there must be safety of lives and property in Nigeria,” AIG Kamaldeem stated.
He commended the State Commissioner of Police, CP Olatoye Durosinmi for his efforts in maintaining security apparatus by reducing the crime rate to lowest in the state, and urged him to sustain the tempo.
AIG Kamaldeem charged men and officers of Akwa Ibom State Command to be disciplined, respectful and to shun corruption, stressing that IGP Usman Baba has zero tolerance to corruption.
He also advised them not to be bias in carrying out their lawful duties, but should relate well with members of the public to attract confidence deserves.
While encouraging them to live about board in the discharge of their duties, AIG Kamaldeem assured that under his Zone, those who performed well will be rewarded.
On his part, the State’s Commissioner of Police, Mr
Olatoye Durosinmi thanked the Zone 6 Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Okunlola Kamaldeem for visiting Akwa Ibom Command, saying that the visit has further boosted the moral of officers and men of the command in the discharge of the duties.
Speaking at the meeting, Coordinator of National Human Rights Commission, Akwa Ibom State, Uloma Umogunke commended the Commissioner of Police, CP Olatoye Durosinmi in crime control, saying, that the Commission has enjoyed cordial relationship with the command.
She pledged the Commission’s continued support to the police in addressing the security challenges in the state, adding the meeting was timely and commendable.