The new Commissioner of Police in Ekiti State, Frederick Lakanu, on Thursday read riot act to criminals in the state and asked them to vacate the state before it is too late.
Lakanu gave the warning at a maiden meeting with senior officers in the state, saying they should brace up for the challenges ahead.
He warned that there would be zero tolerance to crime and criminality in the state.
The new CP was Deputy Police Commissioner in Delta State before his new appointment.
Lakanu charged men and officers of the command in the state to always protect the ethics and values of the profession.
Those at the meeting included deputy and assistant commissioners of police, area commanders, Divisional Police Officers, heads of units and other top hierarchy of the command.
The new CP, who described Ekiti State as a relatively peaceful state, promised to put in his best to ensure that crimes and criminality were reduced to the barest.
Lakanu said that the Acting Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, had issued a directive that the country should be rid of crimes.
He promised to carry out the order for Nigeria to remain peaceful.
He said: “Ekiti has one of the lowest crime rate in the country, but I will assume that the rate here is high to enable me to put in my best to combat any form of criminality in the state.
“I will work with my men, whom I know are diligent and up to the task to bring about the needed change.
“I will listen carefully to advice and issues on ground as it affects the state in terms of crimes and criminality.
“I am not unaware of any challenges on ground, but we shall collectively proffer solutions to whatever might come up.”
Lakanu stressed the need for rapport with the public in the task of combating crime in the state, describing security as the responsibility of all.