By Onwukwe Ezeru, Abia
The newly posted Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 9 Umuahia, Yerimah Fyarah Irimiya, has called for a synergy between the Police and the public to checkmate crime in the South East Zone. He said that the Police cannot work effectively without the help of the public in terms of giving relevant information. The new AIG made the appeal during his maiden press briefing in his office. He promised that the police would not expose the identity of any informant.
“It is only by cooperating with the Police that crime can be tackled. The police will not sell you out and cannot abandon anybody that gives useful information,” he assured. He disclosed that he has instructed the Commissioner of Police in Anambra, Enugu, Imo and Abia states to identify crime-prone areas and ensure strict surveillance with a view to checking crime.
On the fundamental right of the public, the new AIG warned against illegal detention, adding that bail is free. “Nigeria government has zero tolerance to corruption so also Police. Bail is free, I am warning Policemen in the zone and if anybody is caught charging money for bail, such officer would be sanctioned”. Yerima appealed to journalists to avoid reports that are sensational in nature to avoid heating the polity. He applauded the Nigerian Police for crime check, maintaining that in other developed world, “there is still need to find ways of stopping crime even with their sophisticated weapons.”
“Thank Police when it performs well. In the developed world, crime persists even with their superior weapons. So Nigerian Police and other security agencies are working well.
“Nigeria is one and there should be no division. We should talk on what would bring unity and not what would divide us. Therefore, do not do reports that are sensational because of its adverse effects. Ethnic politics should be avoided,” he advised.