Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 11, covering Oyo and Osun states, Mrs Christy Ibiso Cookey, has pledged to motivate officers and men of the zone and apply professionalism in discharging their duties:
“Together with the commissioners of police, we have resolved to improve the security architecture within our jurisdiction to ensure that the general public sleep with their eyes closed.
“This is the time we need to encourage our officers to do more and charge them on how to face the security challenges facing the states.
I am here as a mother to talk to them and encourage them on how to be refined officers while discharging their duties.
“Also, I have warned my officers to shun corruption, extortion, illegal duty and victimization. They are out to secure the lives and properties of the people. They have to serve the public and make sure members of the public have confidence in the police, that the police are truly their friends.
“I have sent a strong warning to thugs, hoodlums and other criminals.
They must just leave Oyo and Osun states immediately. The security structure has been rejigged to seriously deal with anyone who wants to disturb the peaceful atmosphere being enjoyed in the two states.
“Officers should imbibe the directive of the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba on community policing. Police and the public must work together to flush out hoodlums out of the states. We need the support of the traditional rulers, market women, student unions, community leaders and other stakeholders. They need to share ideas on how to ensure peace.
“Likewise, visibility policing and deployment of modern security technology will be engaged in tackling crime and criminality within the zone. We have raised a special technical intelligence response unit in the two states to deal with armed robbers, kidnappers and cultists.”
Cookey appealed to the state governments to assist the police with operational vehicles to deal with the hoodlums: “We are ready to face the security challenges in the two states of Oyo and Osun.
“My doors are open to members of the public who may want to assist the police in providing information that will help in combating crime.”