Franklyn Isong, Uyo
A human rights organisation in Nigeria, Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN) has decried the upsurge in insecurity in Akwa Ibom State and called on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to rise to the occasion and stem the tide.
This was contained in a presentation made by the Director of the Center, Otuekong Franklyn Isong, during a Critical Stakeholders Meeting with the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, South-South, DIG Daniel Sokari-Pedro, at the Conference Hall, Akwa Ibom State Police Headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia, on Monday, 27th May 2024.
The CHRAN commended the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, on efforts in tackling crime across the State since his assumption of office, elaborating that the Governor has provided patrol vehicles, gunboats and security gadgets to the security agencies in the State to boost crime-fighting in Akwa Ibom.
The CHRAN noted that the governor had established the Ministry of Internal Security and Waterways as well as Ibom Community Watch (ICW) and appointed a commissioner to oversee the activities of the ministry and the ICW and expressed worry over the upsurge of crime in the state.
The CHRAN lauded the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, CP Waheed Ayilara, and officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies in the State for their efforts in tackling crimes across the state.
The Center noted that on assumption of duty, CP Ayilara toured the 31 local government areas and held interactions with the Chairmen of the Local Government Transition Committees and the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) to ascertain their security challenges to design strategies to combat them.
The rights group urged the security agencies in the State to redouble efforts and rely more on intelligence gathering and community policing to nip the menace of rising insecurity in the bud.
The CHRAN advocated for improved welfare for officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force and called for improved insurance schemes for the Nigeria Police Force.
The CHRAN also made a case for improved welfare for retired police personnel.
The Center called for regular training and retraining of officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force, urging the government at all levels to provide sufficient modern equipment to the officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to boost crime fighting and enhance security in Akwa Ibom State.
Other stakeholders who shared their thoughts at the meeting included the Assistant Inspector-General of Police Zone 6, AIG Jonathan Towuru; Deputy Inspector-General of Police (rtd) Yemi Ogunjemilusi; the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, Comrade Amos Etuk; the Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Akwa Ibom State Branch, Professor Emem Abraham; leaders of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC); Coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission in Akwa Ibom State, an aide to the Akwa Ibom State Governor on Youths, among others.
The Stakeholders Meeting was hosted by the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Waheed Ayilara, who was also in attendance.