Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of newly created Zone 13, Ukpo, Anambra State, DanMallam Muhammed on 9th November 2020 visited the burnt Nnewi Central Police Station (CPS) and Area Command Stations.
Muhammed was accompanied by Area Commander Nnewi Police Command, Irek Sunday, DPO Nnewi CPS, Nnamdi Anabike amongst other top police officers.
Muhammed before the patrol visited the palace of Igwe Kenneth Onyeneke Orizu III. While speaking at the Igwe’s palace, the AIG lamented on the police stations burnt in Nnewi.
In his words “I am glad to be here, but I am here with a heavy heart and mixed feelings. Nnewi is one of the cities that have a good and cordial relationship with the police.
‘Ndi-Nnewi have been very supportive to the Nigeria Police Force but it is very sad and unfortunate that the peaceful protest was highjacked by hoodlums.
The AIG called on the youths in Nnewi not to allow themselves to be used. “If the youths are not called to order, after destroying the security agencies, the citizens will be next, He stated
Speaking on the police force, the AIG said ‘Let us not condemn the police because of the few bad eggs, there are good police.
‘I urge Ndi-Nnewi to cooperate with our police. I am also pleading to concerned individual and the community to assist us in rebuilding the burnt station.
Area Command Headquarters Nnewi
Area Command Headquarters Nnewi
Muhammed told journalist in an interview that the main purpose of visiting Nnewi is to see the level of destructions in the police stations and to encourage the members of the public to cooperate with the police and ensure that normalcy returns.
These visit is to also encourage policemen that they should not lose hope or fear and should not allow criminals to intimidate them.
‘We have been patrolling to give them (police) confidence. We urge them to come back fully and continue their constitutional responsibility. All those who participated in this mayhem will be brought to justice. Parents should talk to their children. we need the support of everybody to make sure there is law and order.
‘I plead for the forgiveness of all police officers who have offended anybody in the curse of discharging their duty. We have good police officers who are honest and dedicated. the incident that led to the End SARS uproar should not be used to condemn all of us, Muhammed pleaded.
Muhammed commended and appreciated the effort Chief Innocent Chukwuma for taking it upon himself to rebuild the CPS, stating that it is a very good development.
‘This is the type of synergy we expect from ndi-Nnewi because security is everybody’s business.’ I call for peace and reconciliation among the police and Nnewi community. The only way forward is to put the sad incidence behind us.
Chief Innoson Chukwuma while speaking to journalists in an interview after the patrol, thanked the AIG for the visit. He expressed regrets over the damages done by the youths stating that the elders and stakeholders will make sure that such incident does not happen again.
‘We will never support any attacks against the police because they are here to protect us. I plead with the police to reclaim their position in the society.
On the reason why he chose to rebuild the CPS, Chief Chukwuma said ‘I decided to rebuild the CPS because of the relationship Nnewi have with the police.’
Igwe Kenneth Onyeneke Orizu III, Nnewi Igwe while expressing delight over the visit, regretted over the properties destroyed by the protesters.
“Ndi-Nnewi are industrious and hardworking in nature and it is sad that the protest was high-jacked by hoodlums.
‘Due to the economic nature of the town, both good and bad people have entered these community and this is one of the reasons why it is difficult to point fingers at any youth. The destruction of security stations is a condemnable act and is highly regreated, Igwe Orizu III lamented.
President General Nnewi Traders Association, Chief Edward Muozom in his speech, thanked the AIG for visit. He reassured the AIG of the corporation of Nnewi traders.
‘ We will donate one INNOSON Vehicle to the police as a form of assistance.
Area Command Headquarters Nnewi
Area Command Headquarters Nnewi
President, Automobile Manufacturers and Importers association, Austin Manuel Jideofor, in an interview with pressmen said, he advice police to be more closer to the people. He urged the police to improve in their public relation through becoming more friendly to the public.
