The Commissioner, Akwa Ibom State Police Command, Baba Mohammed Azare, has warned officers and men under him against extortion, saying they would be punished when caught.

The Commissioner of Police gave the warning during his maiden visits to the Police Divisions in the Uyo Area Command on Tuesday.

He said the Command expects the police to give members of the public the respect they deserve, not to act like dictators to them.

Azare said: “We are supposed to embrace them, preach peace, and also ensure that we go along with members of the public in peace.”

He said he would not tolerate what he described as “unnecessary arrest and detention of suspects all the time”.

He charged the Divisional Police Officers and other police personnel to explore the Alternative Dispute Resolutions approach to reach agreements between parties to disputes and discharge them to go.

Azare added: “By doing so, you have made the parties your friends for life rather than arrest and pack them into the cells in the name of bail to collect some money.

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“That method of policing is prohibited and would not be allowed. 

“If any police personnel is caught doing that, he will be made to answer his father’s name.”

The CP commended the DPO ‘A’ Division, Odiko McDon, and the Area Commander for doing a good job and for the wonderful reception.

Azare counselled Uyo residents to cooperate with the police, stating that policemen are public servants expected to be acting professionally while serving the public.

He said the people and police have to live together as those in uniform are picked from among the public.

He said: “Feel free to always come to the police and join hands to be able to police the community. 

“We are not magicians as we would not know your problems until you come forward to give information to the police.”

Stakeholders from the Area Command presented their goodwill messages.

Among them were the Chairman, Police Community Relations Committee, Michael Edet Etim, who commended the police for their proactive policing and protecting lives and property in the State.

The Dean, Students Affairs of the University of Uyo, Prof. Etefia Ekanem; Village Head, Afaha Oku, Chief Emmanuel Eka; and President, Students’ Union Government, University of Uyo, also thanked the CP and his personnel for maintaining the peace in the State.

The Hausa and Yoruba communities spiced the event with cultural displays.

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