There would be no space for criminal elements to make their habitation at any place within the jurisdiction of the Zone 9 Police Command, the Assistant Inspector General(AIG) in charge of the zone has said.
AIG Kanayo Uzuegbu stated his commitment to make Zone 9 a no-go-area for criminal elements, when he received the new leadership of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abia State Council, in his office in Umuahia.
Zone 9 Police Command with headquarters in Umuahia comprises Abia, the host State, Ebonyi and Imo States.
The AIG in charge vowed that he would make the three states very uncomfortable for criminals and their collaborators, adding that the full weight of the law would be invoked on anyone found on the wrong side of the law.
He assured the Correspondents team led by the brand new Chairman, Deacon Steve Oko, that no part of the states under the zone would be allowed to be used as a breeding ground for criminals.
AIG Uzuegbu said that police personnel under his command would work in collaboration with sister security agencies to ensure the security of lives and property of residents in the zone.
He said that the Zonal Command was already preparing ahead for peaceful Christmas season, adding that residents of the states under the command would celebrate this year’s yuletide in peace and security.
The Zone 9 police boss acknowledged journalists as critical stakeholders in nation building and charged them to maintain their professional ethics in discharging their duties.
He harped on the importance of developmental journalism, adding that media practitioners should use their noble profession to engender peace and unity in Nigeria for the good of all.
Uzuegbu also tasked journalists on objectivity and fairness in their reportage, urging them to eschew fake news and sensationalism.
He solicited the cooperation of media while pledging the willingness of the Police Command in the zone to work in harmony with journalists as partners in progress.
The Chairman of the Correspondents Chapel, Deacon Oko, had earlier in his address explained that the courtesy visit was meant to familiarise with the police hierarchy in the Zone and strengthen the relationship between the police and media practitioners.
He stressed the need for collaboration between the police and the journalists, underscoring the need for the police to always see media people as “partners in progress, and not antagonists”.
The Chapel leader noted that given their role as watchdog of society, “media practitioners have both moral and constitutional responsibility to hold leaders accountable to the people”.
He commended the police for the immense sacrifices they make in maintaining security of lives and property and encouraged them not to relent in their efforts.
However, Oko reminded the police of the need for personnel posted on duty, especially at checkpoints to be more and avoid engaging in distractions in order not to put their lives in danger.
The Correspondents Chapel Chairman urged the police authorities to root out every form of unprofessional conducts among the ranks and files so as to boost the public image of the police thereby winning the confidence of the people.
