By John OVIE
The Zone 16 Police Command comprising Rivers and Bayelsa States with headquarters in Yenagoa has decorated 17 officers of the zone promoted from the rank of Inspector to Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP).
The 11th Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of the zonal command, AIG Johnson Adenola, decorated the officers, including Chinenye Apkan, the only female promotee, who is currently attached to the Anti-terrorism Unit of the command.
Adenola urged the honoured officers to uphold integrity, serve the public, and avoid misconduct, reminding them that their new position has placed higher responsibilities on their shoulders.
“The masses are the masters, so don’t use your position to oppress the masses,” he said, emphasizing that promotion comes with a lot of responsibilities and warned against acts that could tarnish the image of the force.
“The police as an institution, we have played our part by promoting you for your hard work but that is not the end of the journey. You still have many rivers to cross.
“It means you must show more commitment and work with integrity. You must abstain from doing things that drag the image of the force to the mud”, the AIG warned.
Adenola also stressed that every police officer should play the role of a public relations officer, not just the one holding the microphone, urging them to act accordingly.
The promoted officers, who joined the force in 2001 and 2002, were commended for their efforts in combating crimes which led to their elevation.
ASP Eni Kalu, who responded on behalf of the promotees, thanked the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the zone 16 AIG for being instrumental to their promotion and pledged to meet expectations of the force and members of the public.
The Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO Gunn Ewhobowho, also advised the officers to adhere to AIG Adenola’s warning, urging them to be worthy ambassadors of the Nigeria Police Force.
