CP Uzuegbu: We’ll provide adequate security to all residents
THE Enugu State Police Command warned on Tuesday that it will arrest and prosecute any person or group of persons found to be enforcing the forbidden Monday sit-at-home exercise declared by a section of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
This is even as the Command said that it arrested 83 criminal suspects and rescued 20 kidnapped victims within the state between January 1, 2024 till date.
Addressing journalists in Enugu on the successes recorded by the Command since the beginning of the year, the state Commissioner of Police Kanayo Uzuegbu, urged members of the public to go about their legitimate businesses on Mondays, promising that the command will continue to provide adequate security for all the residents of the state.
He warned alleged enforcers of the banned sit-at-home exercise in some parts of Enugu metropolis to desist from doing so or face the wrath of the law.
He described Enugu as a safe haven, and urged potential investors not to hesitate in doing business in the state.
According to the CP, the offences for which the criminal suspects were arrested included: abduction, kidnapping, armed robbery, murder, defilement and vandalism among other criminals committed within the state in the period under review.
Uzuegbu noted that 46 firearms of different calibers were recovered as well as 125 ammunition of different calibres were recovered within the period under review.
According to him, 36 motor vehicles were recovered; six tricycles were recovered and 15 motorcycles were also recovered by gallant and eagle-eyed crime fighting officers and men of the Command.
He said many of the arrested suspects had been arraigned in court and remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Service Custodial Centre, while others would be prosecuted accordingly once investigations are concluded.
The commissioner said that proactive and people’s centred policing approaches of the Command had started yielding the expected results.
“I wish to specially thank the Executive Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Dr Peter Mbah, for the immense support his Administration has continued to extend to the police in the state.
“In the same vein, I profoundly thank and appreciate the Inspector-General of Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun, for his visionary and pragmatic leadership style, which have brought about the policing strides recorded in Enugu State and Nigeria as a whole.
“Additionally, I express my immense gratitude to my colleagues in sister security agencies and the entire security stakeholders in Enugu State, for all the collaborative support we enjoyed in 2023, and which has continued into 2024.
“I also want to thank and appreciate my officers and men for their diligence, hard work and dedication to duty, which have resulted in the operational successes recorded.
“I urge them to remain focused and committed to actualizing the mandates of the Nigeria Police Force in Enugu State,” he said.
The commissioner maintained that discipline remained the bedrock of the Nigeria Police, adding: “ I caution officers and men to shun acts of corruption, unprofessionalism and moral debasements, which bring with them severe disciplinary consequences”.
According to him, officers and men must remain professional, firm, upright and diligent in the performance of their duties.
He warned unrepentant criminals to turn over a new leaf, as “we shall more than ever, turn up the heat and make Enugu State more uncomfortable for them and their activities.”
He said: “And if they fail to repent, then we shall stop at nothing to ruthlessly deal with them.
“I also want to strongly caution rumour mongers, rabble-rousers and peddlers of fake news in Enugu State to desist forthwith, as the Police would not hesitate to deal decisively with anyone found wanting, in accordance with extant laws, particularly the Cybercrime Act.
“There is no doubt that the task of tackling the increasing security challenges in our society is daily becoming daunting.
“Nonetheless, the assurance I bring to the good people of Enugu State is that we will remain focused and unflinching in our commitment to enthrone a crime-free and peaceful environment for all and sundry to thrive in their legitimate enterprises.”
Uzuegbu urged the citizenry to remain law-abiding, security conscious and continue to support the police, through the provision of credible and actionable security information; while also reporting suspected criminals and their activities to the nearest police station
