By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo.
Akwa Ibom state police command, Thursday, held a Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum in Uyo to brainstorm on ways to ensure adequate security that will aid the growth of business and expansion of frontiers of leisure in the state.
The Forum which took place at the Officers Mess of the Command in Uyo, drew other participants from Immigration Service, Custom, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp, Christians Association of Nigeria, Muslim communities, Secretary to Akwa Ibom state government, Speaker of the state house of assembly, Commissioner for transport, Vigilante group, Igbo trader, Yoruba leader, Ijaw leader, Youth Council, Students Union and Market women among others.
Mr. Murtala Mani, the Commissioner of Police in the state in his address at the occasion said that the meeting became apt because of the volatility of the security environment just as there cannot be any development in an atmosphere of insecurity.
Mani noted that although Akwa Ibom state has been peaceful and receptive to visitors either for business or leisure but there was need to tighten efforts in order to address the internal security in the state.
According to him, “Crime statistics reveal a marginal reduction in major crimes like armed robbery, stealing, burglary and other form of vices prevalent in almost all societies.”
In view of this he added, “We must collectively tackle this menace before it becomes an untamable monster. We must come up with control measures that make it impossible to criminals to perpetrate their evil acts in whatever guise and go un-detected.”
The Commissioner who solicited partnership from all and sundry in the onerous task of ensuring a crime free society in the state as security is a collective responsibilities of all, however said, “Our journey with you is a continuous one and we pledge to keep improving to serve you even better. We do not ask for your sympathy, rather, we ask for your empathy.”
On cases of conflict between the security personnel and communities in the state, he appealed for restrains by the people in venting their anger on security personnel on minor provocation but rather should adopt the standard approach of addressing grievances.
CP Mani solicited the support of the communities in the protection of security personnel in the discharge of their duties in the state and pledged that the Command would deal decisively with any erring police personnel found wanting in the discharge of his or her responsibilities in the state.
“We have had instances of where on little provocation, our personnel are attacked and vehicles and other logistics equipment vandalized. While we make concerted efforts to ensure that our personnel adhere to our standard rules of engagement, it is imperative to admonish that where they do or adjudged to have fallen short of the expected standard, our communities owe it as a duty to ensure that such personnel are not attacked and maimed but protected and brought to our attention.
“I assure you that the full weight of our disciplinary procedure will be unleashed on such erring personnel. This is a sacred promise which I make with every sense of responsibility knowing the weight of such pledge.” CP Mani stated.
In their various remarks, other speakers at the event commended CP Mani for initiating the forum and described it as a step in a right direction. They pledged their supports to ensure a better environment in the state.
