*Says those found wanting will face wrath of law
By; ABUBAKAR RABILU, Gombe
The Gombe State Commissioner of Police, Hayatu Usman has warned his officers to desist from extorting innocent civilians.
CP gave the warning during his farmilarisation visit to Nafada and Bajoga Police divisional headquarters, saying it is important for officers to maintain high standard and professionalism.
He said it is part of his duty to go round all the divisions to see for himself, the level of their commitment, more especially in the area of community policing.
In Nafada Division, the commissioner urged police officers not to take sides in the forthcoming local government election, saying their duty is to protect the lives and property and also to make sure there’s security.
According to him, from the reports received from the DPO, Nafada is safe and crime free, charging them not to relent on efforts, thereby giving room for hoodlums that will use the opportunity to cause problem.
He explained that the acute shortage of manpower is all over, but assured of looking into the matter, adding that when the recent recruitment is concluded, more officers would be posted to the command to bridge the manpower gap.
He added the shortage of manpower will not deter them, since they have cordial working relationship with hunters, vigilante and the PCRC.
He said that the synergy and good working relationship between Police, and sister agencies is commendable, calling on them to maintain same.
In his remarks, the PCRC Chairman of Nafada Local Government Area, Umar Muhammad Baraya, said that in Nafada, they have no problem because they assisted the police who worked closely and commended the Area Commander Bajoga, ACP A.S Giade and the DPO for their kind support.
At the emirate, the Emir of Nafada, Muhammad Dadum Hamza appealed to the commissioner for Police outposts in Barwo Wunde, Barwo Nasarawo and Guduku, saying that Nafada has eight districts and they have inadequate police officers.
The royal father also requested for the rehabilitation of Police barracks to accommodate more officers when posted to Nafada, adding that the barracks were blown up by Boko Haram nine years ago.
In his response, CP Hayatu Usman, promised to table the issues to the government, assuring the emir that everything will be fixed under the able leadership of IGP whose priority is the Police officers.
During a similar visit to Bajoga Division in Funakaye Local Government Area, CP Hayatu Usman, warned the Police officers against violating human rights and charged them to work professionally.
He also charged hunters and vigilante not to take laws into their hands, but after apprehending suspects, they should take them to the police and even the police has no power to flout laws, but it is the duty of the court, explaining that the police is only to investigate and charge suspects to court.
The Emir of Funakaye, Alhaji Yakubu Mohammad Kwairanga the 4th, commended the Commissioner of Police for promoting community policing that has brought everybody close to the police.
Kwairanga promised to give maximum support and work together with the police, while appealing to the commissioner for additional police officers to safeguards them from kidnappers.
Responding, CP Hayatu Usman said that with the police officers on ground and hunters that assist them, he assured the emir that they will be protected.
