A’Ibom police assure residents of protection amidst high-level criminal activities

Akpan Udoh

The Akwa Ibom Police Command has assured residents of her commitment to protect lives and property of citizens in the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Odiko Macdon gave the assurance while speaking with newsmen in Uyo on Thursday after a series of security challenged in Uyo metropolis on December 9.

Following a series of armed robbery attacks, car snatching and cult clashes on several areas in Uyo, people of the state had cried out to the government and security agencies to take steps to check the situation and return peace to the state.

During the week, there was pandemonium at various areas in the state capital as people ran helter-skelter for safety while business premises were shut early on Wednesday.

The robbers were also said to have invaded Government House Press Centre, broke into the Chief Press Secretary office, and carted away millions of naira in a ‘Ghana-Must-Go bag.’

According to Macdon, the pockets of unrest recorded in the state were masterminded by enemies of the state to heat up the polity.

He stated that the Commissioner of Police, CP Andrew Amiengheme has ordered the deployment of officers and men of the command to man strategic places within the state to forestall any breach of peace.

The PPRO added that the commissioner of police has ordered an investigation that those involved should be apprehended.

“It is unfortunate, and especially only yesterday December 9,  that some persons that are enemies of the state decided to cause apprehension around the state, but that situation was quickly managed by the Police and everything is under control now.

“The Commissioner of Police has ordered full-scale investigations into the  incident and has also ordered full deployment of police personnel to man strategic areas and to commence the needed patrol to apprehend all the offenders.

“The CP is working very hard to ensure peace and security of lives and property and is living no stone unturned about it, so that incident of such nature does not occur again,” he said.

Macdon added that men of the Nigeria Police Force would be more visible, while there would be robust interference at strategic locations to maintain peace in the state.

He called on residents of the state to support the police by giving timely and adequate information that would aid check the crime rate in the state, advising residents of the state to be peaceful and go about their normal duties without fear.