The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 9 Umuahia, Mr Kanayo Uzuegbu, has declared that the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra are gradually fading in the South East region, urging residents to go about their daily businesses without fear or intimidation.
AIG Uzuegbu made the statement during an official visit to the Ebonyi State Police Command headquarters, where he met with officers and men of the command. He also used the occasion to caution police personnel against acts that could tarnish the image of the force.
“Our police job is a law established by the constitution. We have a fundamental duty to do. It is a duty by law to secure our land. So, in professionalism, you have to work according to these duties,” he said.
He stressed the need for ethical conduct in the discharge of police duties, warning against misconduct such as extortion.
“Unethical conduct is not allowed. You have to do your job as stipulated by law. It has to be done by fact, not fancy,” Uzuegbu stated. “It’s unprofessional to extort road users and residents. And the authority of the police is against that.”
He assured that the Nigeria Police Force is committed to internal reforms aimed at improving professionalism and accountability.
“We are trying to put our house in order and ensure that things are done very well. I want to let you know that the police job, too, is not a foreign importation. Generally, we have to be professional and excited about what we do. It has to be done by fact, not fancy, as stipulated by law.”
Commenting on the state of security in the South East, particularly regarding secessionist activities, AIG Uzuegbu affirmed that IPOB’s influence has significantly waned due to sustained operations by the security agencies.
“IPOB involvement in the southeast is dying off. Our policemen are doing a fantastic job. As I said in my lecture, I came here to interface with them, to build their capacity, to build their confidence. I want to thank them.”
“When I build up this, they will do more. We are doing magic though. We have most of their enclaves overran and dismantled them.”
He continued: “When we go against them, we will raid all of them, carry our war against any of them. I would like to say that all those thoughts of IPOB exist only in our imagination and the minds of people who are afraid of the unknown. In that sense, people should go and do their job and carry on their businesses. If we can identify them, we have to deal with them ruthlessly. We have to be focused and take charge of our area,” he said.
Earlier in her remarks, the Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi State, Mrs Adaku Uche Anya, highlighted the achievements of the command in fighting crime and enhancing public safety. She assured the visiting AIG of the command’s commitment to maintaining law and order.
She said the command would continue its relentless efforts in combating criminality to ensure that residents of the state “sleep with their two eyes closed.”
