Abia CP reads riot act for new crime-fighting outfit

April 24, 2017


By Ijendu Iheaka


The Abia State Police Commissioner, Mr Leye Oyebade has charged policemen in its new outfit Tactical Response Squad to desist from using it to extort motorists stressing that such acts are unacceptable.

Oyebade gave the charge on Monday in Aba while addressing the squad tagged Operation Combat Ready set up to upgrade the security architecture of Aba metropolis.

“Our operational stop and search points are not points to be used to extort money. They are points to be used to do the work with all the professional ethics that the police calling demands.

“I expect you to be above board as Caesar’s wife. Don’t use this to extort money from Keke NAPEP, and other people who are supposed to enjoy the benefit of our service.

“You are here to serve and ensure you serve with integrity. Extortion will not be accepted.

“Please do not let there be any incidence of accidental discharge. You are supposed to control the arms you have not the arms controlling you. You should know when to use and not to use your arms”, he said.

Oyebade said that with the new outfit, the command had increased its stop and search points in Aba to 25 stressing that they are not road blocks and will only be used as the need arises.

He said that the new outfit was set up specifically to confront heinous crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery, child stealing and other vices headlong.

The CP said that although there were police units already working to reduce crime rate in Aba, the new outfit was not set up to duplicate effort but to compliment and improve their operations.

Oyebade said that Aba needed the strengthening of its security of lives and property because of its fast growing capacity as the commercial hub for Abia state and Nigeria.

He said that as an upcoming commercial hub, Aba required an enabling environment for businesses to thrive which could only be made available with adequate security.

Oyebade therefore called on the public and all stakeholders in Aba to support their effort to “make Aba relatively crime free” by giving the police reliable information on suspected criminals.

He urged the public to always contact them through 07069441296 (Aba Control room line) and 07061866080 (CP’s SMS-only line or 08035415405, and 08079210003-5 (Umuahia control room ).