The Akwa Ibom Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal, Thursday, declared a state of emergency on child theft.
The commissioner also declared a state of emergency on child abuse, sexual molestation, rape and other related crimes in the state.
Of recent, child theft and other crimes involving children and women have been on the increase in the state resulting in many falling victims and others failing to report same to the police for being stigmatised and fear of their life and property.
Edgal spoke this during an interactive meeting with the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), representatives of the Ministry of Women Affairs, Feyrep, Agape Centre, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) and the Family Support Unit of the State Police Command under the Deputy Commissioner of Police in-charge of State CID, Susan Horsefall, in his office at the Police Headquarters, Uyo.
The meeting which was also attended by the Assistant Commissioner of Police (State CID), ACP Omolara Oloruntola and ACP Adekimi Ojo (Operations), focused on incessant cases of child theft and gender-related cases.
They made reaching more recommendations on ways to tackle the crimes in the state.
The CLO team was led by its chairman, Otuekong Franklyn Isong while the Ministry of Women Affairs had its permanent secretary, Mrs Margaret Edem.
