GP cancels leave of policemen in Zone 6 over laxity

FOR their failure to curtail the rising wave of crime in their area as directed by their boss, any form of leave or break for all police officers and men of the Zone Six (6) Police Command have been cancelled, even as the committee to build affordable houses for officers of inspectorate and lower ranks has been commissioned.

About 36,000 inspectors and officers of the rank and file cadre are to commence promotion training next week, in line with improved welfare policy of the new management.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mr. Solomon Arase gave the directive yesterday in Abuja in a statement signed by the police spokesman, Emmanuel Ojukwu that “despite several directives on anti-crime activities, there are reports of increasing trend of kidnapping and violent crimes in Zone Six (6) Police Command.”

Meanwhile, Ekiti State Police Command has warned dealers in Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) against selling gas or its cylinders to persons suspected to be of shady characters.

Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Etop James issued the warning yesterday in Ado-Ekiti during a sensitisation workshop organised by Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) for retailers of gas and cylinders in the state.

Represented by an Assistant Commissioner of Police, (ACP), Mr. Godwin Osochukwu, the police boss said the warning had become necessary in view of rising cases of terrorism and kidnapping in parts of the country in recent times.

He said people of questionable characters fronting for terrorists or other criminals are known to be devising means of staying afloat in their nefarious businesses by playing on the intelligence of unsuspecting members of the public to perpetrate their acts.

According to him, such devices included use of gas or gas cylinders to prepare bombs, with which to cause havoc or mayhem in the society.

Arase further issued a warning to all the officers in the zone comprising Cross River, Rivers, Ebonyi and Akwa Ibom states commands to ensure that urgent steps were taken to ensure that lives and property of Nigerians in these areas are protected and crimes reduced to an acceptable level.

According to the statement, Arase is miffed by this rising trend hence the directive.

The statement reads in part: “The (IGP) has, therefore, issued a stern warning to police officers and men under Zone Six (6) Police Command, comprising Cross-River, Rivers, Ebonyi and Akwa Ibom states to put all hands on deck, at stemming the tide.

“With a view to further ensuring that the order is complied forthwith, the IGP has also put an embargo on all forms of leave, either casual or annual for officers and men in these commands.
‘The Police High Command equally reaffirmed its commitment at leaving no stone unturned to ensure that peace prevails and people go about their lawful businesses in all parts of the country.”