The Akwa Ibom State Police Command and critical stakeholders from Etim Ekpo and Ukanafun local government areas rose from a security meeting Saturday to call for the establishment of joint patrol/crack teams with proper funding for effective operation.
The meeting was convened to find lasting solutions to the worsening months-old cult war resulting in wanton killings, rapes, kidnappings and robbery incidents in the two local government areas.
At the meeting held in Uyo, the state capital at the police headquarters in Ikot Akpan Abia, the stakeholders also called for the establishment and proper funding of neighbourhood watch in all the communities as well as the retraining, equipping and improved funding for the police and other security operatives in the state.
They equally called on the perpetrators of these heinous crimes to come out and lay down their arms and give the government the opportunity to look into whatever may be their grievances, among others salient resolutions.
However, the participants who rose from the meeting with a 13-point communiqué, observed with dismay the continued violent crimes in the areas which have led to loss of lives and property, calling for a lasting solution to the threats.
The meeting commended the police and the State government for their efforts so far and advised them not to relent in their efforts so as to restore enduring peace and security in all parts of the state.
Adeyemi Samuel Ogunjemilusi, Commissioner of Police, who chaired the parley, said the meeting was convened in furtherance of efforts to find a lasting solution to insecurity ravaging the areas, assuring that the Police have beefed up security in the areas and called on hands to be on deck to re-establish peace and security in the state.
He said: ‘’As I speak, intensive police and military operations are ongoing to dismantle all criminal infrastructure, destroys their strongholds and flush out all criminal elements terrorizing the local communities.
‘’Your sincere inputs and contributions will therefore go a long way to demonstrate our commitment to peace and security. It will encourage the youths to bury their hatchet and embrace peace, expedite the return of displaced people, and also accelerate the development of the affected communities’’.
The Police bosses also urged the youths and leaders of both councils to partners with the Police and engage in dialogue to enhance peace and security and shun all acts of criminality.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Emmanuel Enoidem, the National Legal Adviser of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who is from Etim Ekpo enjoined the youths to lay down their arms and embrace peace for development to thrive in the communities.
Enoidem, who is also a one-time Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development in the state, refuted allegations leveled against politicians that the youths were used for the previous elections and not empowered, saying ‘’the excuse that they were used and dumped are not correct.”
