Solomon Bassey|Traditional Rulers in Ikono Local Government Area under the aegis of Traditional Rulers Council have advocated for synergy between the Police and traditional institutions in the state for effective policing and attainment of lasting peace and development of the state.
The traditional rulers made this known when the newly posted Police Area Commander of Ikot Ekpene Area Command, ACP Godwin Osuchukwu paid a courtesy visit to the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Ikono Local Government Council, Mr. Itoro Columba and members of TRC at the Council Headquarters recently.
The Paramount Ruler of Ikono and President Traditional Rulers Council, Ikono, His Royal Majesty, Edidem Nyong Udo Obop, who led other members of TRC disclosed that, the synergy between traditional rulers and security agencies will assist in fishing out the bad eggs in the society. He said that, the synergy would ensure effective policing of the communities and reduce the security challenges recently faced in some parts of the state.
He identified that the Police as an institution should have respect for the traditional institution as well. He also brought to the notice of the Police boss issues bordering on, prompt and effective response by the policemen when invited by the Chiefs, discipline by men of the force, proper monitoring of policemen in the Command, consultation with the Village Heads before anybody is arrested in the community.
He said, “We want to appeal to you to advise your men to give the traditional institution some level of respect. There are cases where Village Heads are manhandled over minor petitions. Whatever petition that comes to the villages, we will handle it diplomatically instead of your men resorting to harassing our Chiefs and diminishing their image before their subjects”.
The Monarch also expressed displeasure at the undaunted attitude of herdsmen in the area, who according to him are destroying their farmlands and wondered how someone could use his means of livelihood to threaten another person’s source of livelihood. He therefore called on the Area Commander to come to their aid to forestall any breakdown of law and order arising from the attitude of the herdsmen in their communities, stressing that he is not an advocate of the grazing zones proposed by the federal government.
He also used the occasion to commend the Divisional Police Officer of Ikono, Mr. Irmiya Asimiya for his level of commitment to duty few months after he was posted to Division and urged him to continue in his steadfastness, pledging the support of the Council to see that crime is reduced to the barest minimum in the local government.
Also speaking, the Council Chairman, Mr. Itoro Columba expressed his delight in the visit by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, stating that, it is an indication of his willingness to work.
He said, “I want to thank you by deeming it fit to come and visit us even though you are new here. The fact that you’ve visited Ikono indicates that you are willing to work with us. What you’ve seen today is an indication that there is a very strong synergy between the traditional Institution and the political class.”
The Council boss also reechoed the words of the Monarch, stressing that, “It is unthinkable that someone’s means of livelihood is posing a threat to another person’s means of livelihood”. He also reiterated the need for the Police Chief to have a roundtable discussion with the traditional rulers and herdsmen in the area to see how to broker peace between aggrieved parties.
“These Chiefs have serious regards for you and I pray that you reciprocate same to them. Ikono is one of the safest and most peaceful local governments areas that you will get to work with in the course of your duty. We are ready and willing to work with you. We look forward to a successful and robust relationship with your command”.
Responding, the Police boss explained that he was on a familiarization tour of the local governments in the command and expressed satisfaction at the level of peace so far recorded in the area.
He also stated that the collaboration between the Police and the traditional institutions would fast track development and creates avenues for positive development and peaceful coexistence. He however commended the major roles that the traditional rulers played during crisis situation and urged that they should not relent in that direction.
On the issues raised, he said that, “Knowing that we are flesh and blood, we may make mistakes during our work and friction may occur, but I want to assure you that we will have a good working relationship between the command and the Traditional Rulers Council”.
He also appealed to traditional rulers to educate and enlighten members of their respective communities on the importance of peace and unity to the development of any society, while reemphasizing the command’s readiness to protect those who offer intelligence information to the Police. He also stated that even though the command may be outnumbered in manpower but the commitment and zealousness of the officers can work wonders.
Source: Ibom Reporters via http://bit.ly/2cTg04P
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