The new Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, Edward Egbuka, has warned officers and men of the command against extortion and harassment of the citizenry while performing their duties.
This is as he promised to use his over thirty years experience in the Police to fight crimes and criminality in the State.
The Commissioner called on the citizens of the state to avail the police with information to enable it carry out its mandate, and assured that the police has several channels of receiving information as well as protecting the informants.
CP Edward Chuka Egbuka made the disclosure in a maiden press conference held on Friday in Lokoja to herald his assumption of office.
He said Kogi State is a familiar terrain to him having served before in the state, promising to key into the mission and vision of the Inspector General of Police to attract and build the trust of the people of the state.
The Commissioner promised to synergize with all other security and paramilitary agencies and all critical stakeholders towards making the state safe and secure, said it would be business unusual in fighting crimes and criminality in Kogi State.
He called on the media to promote stories that will help the police do better in the discharge of their duties and warned against sensational reporting that will promote and encourage crimes.
Egbuka said he has zero tolerance for extortion, warning his officers against testing his resolve to check extortion and sharp practices.
He commended the efforts of the Federal Government and other support agencies for funding the Police, adding that it will be unfair to extort members of the public who the Police is expected to protect.
He urged the men of the command to rather go hungry than extorting the members of the public.
He cautioned men of the police in the state against infringing on the rights of citizens, even though he will not tolerate the infringement of the rights of Police men in carrying out their duties.
Egbuka promised to operate an open door policy in the discharge of his duties.
He appealed and warned the public against the use of self help, describing it as illegal. He said nothing should justify the use of jungle Justice and promised to deal with culprits engaged in applying self help.
He said having reviewed the security architecture of the state, he has resolved to improve the security of the State.
