IGP Solicits Public’s Assistance in Tracking Criminals

The Inspector-General of Police in the Country, Mr. Ogbonnaya Onovo has appealed to the populace to join hands with the police by using new technology and Global Satellite Mobile Communications (GSM) to track kidnappers and fraudsters in the country.
Mr. Onovo while exchanging views with Governor Godswill Akpabio at Akwa Ibom International Airport (AKIIA), Okobo recently during his one-day official visit to Akwa Ibom said the police have to elicit the trust and confidence of the populace to use the same technology to track the criminals.
He explained “the only irony to tackle kidnapping and fraud using the new technology, GSM is to elicit the trust and confidence of the populace to join hands with the police in using the same technology to track them. The police need the tracking machines in fighting crimes without the pre-requisite know-how would be an exercise in futility.
“Where the police cannot afford the facilities, they count on human resources, the volunteering of useful and timely information so that the police can move in swiftly and nip it in the bud whatever activity the criminals have perfected to carry out”, he added.
The Inspector-General remarked that the police would not condone the ugly incidents of assassinations, murder and kidnapping, saying he was in the state to commiserate with the family of the late Elder Paul Inyang gruesomely murdered recently at Ebenezer African Church, Mbierebe Akpawat and to know how far his men have gone on investigation.
He said he was happy as one of the suspects was captured alive and was receiving treatment to be able to reveal his sponsors and members of the gang to enable the police to fish out and bring to book the culprits.
According to him, it is unacceptable for people to murder others for political reason to get ransom, warning that it would no longer be business as usual for whoever kills in the name of politics.
Mr. Onovo thanked the Governor for the good works done in the mobile police barracks, police secondary school and other logistics and pledged to guarantee a peaceful environment needed for development.
Chief Akpabio said that Mr. Onovo’s appointment was based on integrity and good track record, pointing out that Nigerians are confident that God would see him through as IGP and Akwa Ibom people would not stop praying for him to succeed because of the difficult times the people are experiencing global upsurge in crime caused by unemployment and economic downturn.
He lauded the IGP for his prompt response in coming to the state to commiserate with the deceased family, assuring that the government would continue to support the police by providing logistics to help them do their work.
The Governor commended the State Commissioner for Police, Mr. Walter Rugbere for his gallantry and efforts in reducing crime wave especially in the arrest of some kidnappers, which according to him, helped to make the state safer than many states in the federation.
Describing the duty of the police as a difficult one, he urged them to put in more effort to ensure the safety and security of the people.