John Abang, new Commissioner of Police in Anambra Command, has warned officers and men of the command against extortion, unlawful/long detention and incivility of members of the public.
Abang gave the warning in his maiden media conference on Thursday in Awka.
Abang said the personnel of the Command must act in full adherence to the rules of engagement and eschew corruption and indiscipline.
He said: “I am not unmindful of other challenges bordering on professional misconduct on the part of our officers and men such as extortion, unlawful/over detention and incivility to members of the public.
“In this vein, I urge all personnel of the Command to eschew corruption and indiscipline.”
The police commissioner said the command would sustain the existing inter-agency collaboration.
He also said that under his watch, there would be improved respect for the Rule of Law and fundamental Human Rights in accordance with international best practices.
Abang said: “On assumption of duty within the last 24 hours, I have been fully briefed on a few criminal and security challenges in the State at the moment.
“These include disputes over land, the menace of one chance robbery gangs, robbery, kidnapping and cultism.
“Undoubtedly, the command under my predecessor, CP Mustapha Dandaura, has recorded many successes in clearing the menace of miscreants in several areas of Onitsha metropolis, the arrest and prosecution of murder and robbery suspects and the general maintenance of law and order in the State.”
Abang promised to improve on the achievements of Dandaura to ensure the state remained the safest in the country.
He acknowledged the immense support of the the state government for the operations and activities of the Police Command and its personnel.
The commissioner used the medium to thank the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu for finding him worthy to serve as the 28th Commissioner of Anambra Police Command.
He said: “All our efforts and energies shall be mobilized and deployed towards the prevention of crimes; and the successful apprehension of criminals that will test our resolve.
“Regrettably, only last week, we lost an operative of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad in an onslaught against kidnappers. This is indeed unacceptable.
“My advice to cultists, robbers and kidnappers is for them to have a rethink and purge themselves or relocate from the State.”
Abang warned the purveyors of such news through whatever means to desist henceforth; or face the full wrath of the law whenever they are apprehended.
He added: “I want to assure all Anambra citizens both at home and in Diaspora that the Command under my watch will work assiduously to continue to make the State the safest in the country.”