Edith CHUKU
Cross River State Police command has reaffirmed its commitment to discipline, community-oriented policing, and fight against all forms of extortion.
The state Commission of Police, Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, gave this reaffirmation while urging drivers and riders in the state to report unlawful demands.
Ordue noted that no police officer is authorised to demand, solicit or compel any driver or rider to make payments during a stop-and-search or any other lawful police operations.
He advised drivers and riders not to make such payments, rather to promptly report any police officer who demands or solicits such payments to the command through its complaint lines; 08137083052 and 08134096900, for appropriate action.
The CP stated this during an engagement with major transport stakeholders following a recent publication alleging the extortion of commercial drivers and tricycle operators along Calabar Road to Watt Market and adjoining areas, at Atakpa Police Division.
The police commissioner was represented by the Divisional Police Officer of Atakpa Police Division, Azenda Peter, whose division has jurisdiction over the area where the alleged incident was reported.
Attendees included executive members of the Unified Commercial Drivers Association of Cross River State, led by the State Chairman, Mr Nta Henshaw, and representatives of the Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria, led by the Calabar South/Municipality Chairman, Chief Ekpenyong Ewa.
Stakeholders were also reminded that the prohibition of extortion does not exempt motorists and riders from obeying the law.
The CP charged commercial drivers and tricycle operators to strictly comply with applicable road traffic laws and lawful police directives, stressing that violations would be addressed through established legal and enforcement procedures.
He further reminded all police personnel in the state that every officer is expected to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline and integrity in the discharge of their duties.
Ordue assured that the command remained committed to strengthening public confidence through disciplined policing, community partnership, accountability and professional service delivery.
According to him, “The command will continue to engage relevant stakeholders in addressing legitimate public concerns and assures members of the public that credible complaints of police misconduct will receive appropriate attention and be handled in accordance with the law.”
