Police Seek Partnership With Communities In Enugu

The Police Command in
Enugu State has called for an all inclusive community partnership to enable the police perform maximally and curb corruption among its rank and file.
The command’s spokesman, Ebere Amarizu, made the call when he reacted to allegations by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Enugu on police officers and men in the state.
He Amarizu said the command would appreciate information from members of the public that would aid in curbing alleged corrupt practices by officers of the command.
According to him, members of the public being the recipients of the services rendered by the police cannot afford to remain aloof while they are allegedly being exploited by some police officers.
“What the Nigeria Police needs from the public is an all inclusive community partnership to enable it perform maximally and not to encourage corruption in the system,” he said.
He noted that it would be difficult for the police hierarchy to know exactly happenings behind the scene without adequate information from strategic quarters.
He said allegation of mounting roadblocks and extorting money from motorists with impunity should be backed with evidence for action to be taken against culprits.
“We need people to work with us. Let us have such information and the location on good time so as to stop it.
“Members of the public are the recipients of the services rendered by us. In fact, you pay our salaries and it will be wrong to encourage impunity against you by our men,” he said.
He, however, reiterated the call that the public should stop giving gratification to the police, avoid any form of confrontation and report any violation to the appropriate authority.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) in Enugu, Dr Osita Ogbu, had accused the police of exploiting members of the public.
Ogbu said motorists in Enugu were made to pass through the rigours of roadblocks which the Inspector General of Police had declared illegal.
He said that lawyers were harassed at police stations, while accused persons were treated with impunity for briefing a lawyer.
“Bail in Enugu police stations are monetised while most land disputes in the state are now being determined at the police stations,” Ogbu had alleged.