DEVELOP POSITIVE IMAGE TO WIN PUBLIC CONFIDENCE — AIG ADMONISHES POLICEMEN

Reporter: UCHE NDEKE

Officers and men of the Nigeria Police have been enjoined to use the current situation in the country to give the force a new and positive image.

The Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 13, Ukpo, Mr. Danmallam Mohammed, gave the advice when he visited some police stations in Anambra State to ascertain the level of damage done by some violent protesters on some facilities across the state.

Some of the places visited were Ogidi Divisional Police Station; Central Police Station (CPS), Awka; B Division, Awka; Police Command headquarters, Amawbia; and Anambra State Revenue House.

A statement in Awka by the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, Princess Nkiruka Nwode, says the AIG reiterates the need for officers to shun extortion, extra judicial killings, corruption and unlawful detention of suspects on simple offences.

It notes that when all these are observed, it will restore public confidence and dignity of the Nigeria Police Force.

Mr. Mohammed, while charging officers on ground to be gallant in the discharge of their duties, challenged them to protect their armouries and duty posts at all cost.

The statement encourages policemen not to be demoralized by the turn of events recently in Anambra State and parts of the country in general.

The AIG commends the Divisional Police Officers for their firm stand against the vandalism of their stations by the marauding assailants.

Mr. Mohammed charges the officers to appear in their uniforms always and ensure that they are not overpowered by the hoodlums while ensuring also that their jurisdictions are secured against any form of attack.

The routine patrol by the AIG in charge of Zone 13, Ukpo is in line with the directive of the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, for police to take over the public space to forestall further insurrection in Nigeria.