The Abia State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Geoffrey Ogbonna has charged motorists to stop giving money to policemen who mount on roads in the state.
The PPRO said this on Wednesday, August 25 during an interview on FLO FM programme, ‘The Platform’ monitored by ALL FACTS NEWSPAPER.
Reacting to reports of policemen at the Central Police Station (CPS) Umuahia, along Bende road, allegedly extorting money from motorists who ply that road; Ogbonna said;
“I believe that issue has been addressed before now, because I know when that thing came, people were calling and I was able to get the calls and I quickly alerted the Commissioner of Police who wielded into that matter and it has been resolved. I believe people for now, will tell you that things are better now than before. We have really addressed that situation, he said.
“ If you are stopped by any police officer and you are asked to bring whatever, if you don’t have, it is not compulsory. If you want to give them willingly, you can do that. But where they have said you must, before you leave, that is in front of the headquarters, you can let us know. It is only when you yield into whatever thing they are demanding for because you are always impatient, that they will continue to extort. I want to tell all the motorists, please stop giving even if you are asked, pay a deaf ear to it. Let us see whether they will not allow traffic to flow because one person has refused to part with something.
It is when you are willing to give, that they will be willing to take, otherwise that place is just a stone throw, you get to our office to report what has happened to us. I will advise, if worse comes to worst, you leave your keke there or whatever and then dash into the office and let us know, the PPRO added.
On the accident that occurred on Monday, August 23, involving a mobile policeman and an articulated vehicle along Bende road, Ogbonna said he learnt that the now deceased policeman, was trying to help the truck driver by putting a wedge as the vehicle was rolling back. Unfortunately, the vehicle crushed the police officer.
He commiserated with his family and colleagues who came with him and also advised road users to make sure that their vehicles are in other as they are not the only road users. He recalled an accident that occurred the same day, involving one Blessing Kalu, a fresh graduand of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU).
The lady who graduated on Friday, August 20, was on a motorcycle after she went to purchase gas when the accident happened. Eyewitnesses said the accident happened as the motorcycle was trying to overtake a trailer. Unfortunately, Kalu who is said to be an orphan, died from that accident.
Responding to the rising criminal activities in the Agbama area of Umuahia, the PPRO said when he got a call to that effect, he informed the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Ehimiri Housing Estate (Worldbank), adding that the police will act when the people give them information on time.
He regretted that most communities do not have vigilantes who can aid the police and other security agencies to secure their communities as the police cannot be present at all time.
“when we are talking of community policing, you will not expect the police to come and stay with you in your domain. Security is a collective responsibility and we have been hammering on formation of vigilante services. Some people up till now, do not have vigilante services.”
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