EXCEPT for the recent communal clash between the people of Adadama in Abi Local Government Council of Cross River State and Amagu community in Ikwo Council of Ebonyi State when a police station was burnt down in Adadama, policemen in Cross River State have not been experiencing incessant attacks by hoodlums.
However, the condition of living in terms of kitting, accommodation, funding, ammunitions and others is poor, while cases of bribery thrive. Roadblocks are not there except for occasional stop and check operations and the ones mounted by the military. A police constable who preferred anonymity, said their condition is so poor that enough ammunitions are not given to them on patrol.
“Most times, we buy our bullets and this is not good. We don’t have enough vehicles and enough fuel for the few vehicles available. Some senior offices even take patrol vehicles as their personal or official cars and the stations are left bare.
“Even the State Crime and Investigation Department of the state police headquarters is a sorry sight. From the entrance, it stinks like hell yet policemen and women sit out just by the counter to work with the repelling stench from the cells. No electricity most of the time and the place is always dark.
“This is the same story in most other stations. The furnishing is not even good for the dustbin. There are no enough chairs, tables, fans, air-conditioners and others. We are really suffering. We are not properly kitted for operations. The police needs a total overhaul,” he bemoaned.
Commissioner of Police, Mr. Kola Sodipo who assumed duty in Calabar just two months ago, averred that policing is not for the police alone.
“There is need for all members of the community to work together. We call on the public for help with information. We need to work together for the progress of the state. Although the state is peaceful, it should not be taken for granted. It was people who made it peaceful through hard work and this effort should be sustained. Information from members of the public is very important,” he said.
Sodipo also solicited for more manpower for the police, as he encouraged members of the public to join the force, saying 400,000 policemen are not enough to adequately police over 160 million people in Nigeria as this is far below the UN standard.
He said the ideal situation, according to international standards, is to have one policeman to six people. He said there is nothing wrong with joining the police which he described as a respectable job just like any other.
“We have put in place water tight security strategies aimed at enhancing successful clamp down on criminals and we make bold to say there will be no hiding place for criminals in the state,” he said.
Meanwhile, men of the Cross River State Police Command have arrested three men suspected to be part of car snatching gang operating in the state and recovered five cars.
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