Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has urged the new Commissioner of Police in the state, Aliyu Garba, to do everything possible to check the rising insecurity in the state.
Umahi made the call in Abakaliki on Wednesday when the newly-posted Commissioner of Police paid him a courtesy visit in his office.
He said: “You are coming at a very trying moment in the state and should deal decisively with anyone instigating insecurity in the name of political party.
“It should be stated that some leaders instigate crisis in the state but when it comes to security issues, my party is God and the people.”
Umahi said the government had procured and would soon distribute operational vehicles to security agencies and urged the new CP to reactivate patrols across the state, especially at night.
“Peace Ibekwe-Abdallah, a former Commissioner of Police in the state, conducted such patrols by herself as it would be difficult to achieve success without adequate monitoring,” he said.
He, however, expressed disappointment over the performance of the police in the state lately, saying he had lost confidence in the force.
He said: “I nearly severed my relationship with the police, but was restrained by the integrity of its Inspector General.
“How can police officers be inside their offices and hoodlums would attack them and collect their guns?
“This happened more than three times under the same Commissioner of Police and it is unfortunate.
“Cultists would be arrested and three or four days later, they are released into the society to further cause problems.”
Umahi also used the opportunity to urge the newly sworn-in Coordinators of Local Government Development Centres and Special Assistants to shun betrayal, but be loyal and committed to the task given to them.
Garba thanked Umahi for the reception and pledged to ensure the protection of the people’s lives and property.
He said: “I intend to unveil and execute certain action plans that would make us achieve robust policing, which would succeed with the cooperation of officers and stakeholders.
“We will collectively win the battle against all forms of crimes and criminality in the state, while respecting the fundamental rights of the citizens.”
