Attacks on public facilities top crimes chart
BY AGNES NWORIE, ABAKALIKI
Ebonyi State Police Command has identified attacks on public facilities and killings of police officers and the rank-and-file as major crimes recorded in the state in the last three months.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Loveth Odah, stated this in an exclusive interview with The Point in the state capital, Abakaliki.
Odah said the command paraded no fewer than 60 suspects for various offences and called for the reorientation of youths in the state in the interest of peace, unity and progress of the nation.
The Central Police Station, Kpiripiri in Ebonyi Local Government Area; as well as locations in Ohaozara LGA, Ikwo, Izzi, Onicha and Amasiri were attacked while some officers were either killed or maimed and their guns stolen.
Also attacked in the period were the Independent National Electoral Commission’s offices at Izzi and Ezza North local government areas, as well as Brass Filling Station in Abakaliki.
The command’s spokesperson said, “Ebonyi, as an agrarian state, is relatively peaceful apart from the communal crises which erupt from time to time. These were before the recent spate of attacks on the police and public facilities.”
She advised residents to be vigilant and promptly report security threats to the police.
Odah urged parents to spend quality time with their children and wards and fulfil their responsibilities towards them.
“The most prevalent crime today is attacks on police officers and divisions and other public utilities in the state. The last press conference by the Command showed that we have done a lot. We arrested over 60 suspects in connection with one crime or the other. One can recall the recent attacks on government facilities and the killings of police men and the stealing of their weapons”
The PPRO ascribed the attacks on police and its facilities, other security agencies and public utilities to negative orientation among the youths.
“Ebonyi is a relatively peaceful state, apart from occasional communal crises.
“The most prevalent crime today is attacks on police officers and divisions and other public utilities in the state. The last press conference by the command showed that we have done a lot. We arrested over 60 suspects in connection with one crime or the other. One can recall the recent attacks on government facilities and the killings of police men and the theft of their weapons.”
She said the police had recovered over 17 rifles, including six AK 47 rifles, six assault rifles, smoke guns, walkie-talkies, assorted locally made guns and pump action rifles.
“The Commissioner of Police, Garba Aliyu, has promised to grant amnesty to anyone who willingly surrenders his or her weapons. This includes the ones stolen from the police, other security agencies or any acquired illegally. We appeal to the public to do more by helping us with timely and useful information.
“We remind the public not to, in any way, patronise criminals because they can turn against anyone any day. It is the police who are bearing the brunt today; tomorrow it could be others.
“Landlords should stop renting houses to criminals. People should report their husbands, wives or children who engage in criminal activities. Community leaders should also ensure that their localities are safe. It was worrisome last week when I attended a burial ceremony where many vehicles of guests were vandalised.
“The hoodlums even attempted to steal some of the cars. Traditional rulers, parents and all stakeholders should be alive to their responsibilities by reorienting the youths. They know the criminals, so why not expose them for peace to reign in their communities?
“It is sad that the police are now the targets. In Ebonyi State, the problem we have here is a spill-over. Whatever happens in Imo – they (criminals) would say they are weak if they don’t do something here. Some of the protesters don’t even know why they were pushed to attack. So, people should talk to their children so as to regain their trust.
“The youngest among the 60 suspects that we paraded recently, a 17-year-old, confirmed that he specialised in drawing maps of police stations marked for attack by criminals. He told us that while his father noticed his weird and suspicious movements and warned him to stop, but his mother never cautioned him for once. Let the people learn from other people’s mistakes and have trust in the police for the restoration of peace in Ebonyi State in particular and Nigeria in general,” she added.
