THURSDAY March 13, 2025 |TheNewsDESK
Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azaren has warned officers and men of the command against indiscriminate arrest of members of civil society organisations, noting that most of the arrests were deliberately carried out for the purpose of extortion.
CP Azaren handed down the warning while addressing officers and men, as well as members of the Police Community Relations Committee, PCRC, University of Uyo, stakeholders, traditional rulers and other security agencies at the area command and divisional police headquarters in Uyo on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.
The commissioner expressed regret that bad officers had dented the image of the force, thereby abusing “the police is your friend” slogan by deploying the weapon of intimidation and arrest to hoodwink unsuspecting members of the public to part with their money in matters that could be amicably settled.
According to him, such disposition to using force in some civil cases that should be resolved with police mediation have contributed so much to the congestion of police cells and prisons.
Azaren, therefore, charged officers and men of the command to always explore Alternative Dispute Resolution, ADR, in resolving some minor civil cases.
He warned of drastic consequences against those in the habit of detaining people for minor offenses with a view to extorting money.
“The police is a servant of the people. You are supposed to be seen serving the public,” he stressed, and urged personnel to imbibe high level of professionalism, tact and seamless synergy in their relationship with the people or be ready to face sanctions when found culpable.
Besides, he enjoined the public to create a symbiotic relationship with security agencies towards effective resolution of security challenges.
The commissioner extended a hand of fellowship to other security agencies for a seamless synergy for crime fighting and prosecution of suspects.
In a goodwill message, the PCRC Chairman, Mr Etim Edet assured of cooperation and support.
He commended the commissioner for his ingenuity in security coordination and expressed hope that under his watch, sustainable peace would be attained in the state.
