Akwa Ibom protest transfer of police chief

AKWA Ibom State government, yesterday, decried the removal of the Commissioner of Police, Mr John Abang.

Commissioner for Information Charles Udoh said some members of the opposition party posted the transfer on the social media.

In a statement in Uyo, the state capital, he said the Police commissioner was withdrawn from Akwa Ibom for doing his job.

Udoh said: ‘’Apart from the fact that the outgoing commissioner of Police barely spent a month in the state, the circumstances surrounding his removal is a mockery to the nation and a contrast to the insecurity battle of the Federal Government.

‘’Why should an officer who successfully resisted the invasion of hoodlums, and professionally protected an institution of  government be rewarded with unceremonial removal from office? Ordinarily, such feat in other climes would have attracted promotion and commendation.

‘’This is a sharp pointer to the sad narrative that the force is tilting its political pendulum to favour a particular political divide.

‘’The danger this portends to our democracy is better imagined than seen. We are shocked to see this action from the Police that should unbiasedly serve the interest of all.

‘’Sadly, the precedent the force has set now encourages anyone to take laws into his hand, ostensibly because the power from ”above” is strong enough to shield the culpritS.

‘’We are aware of the APC’s plans to simulate insecurity in Akwa Ibom State…

The commissioner  said  the inspector general of Police and other security agencies should not be drawn into gimmicks and pranks by APC to instigate crises in the state to disrupt the elections.

Udoh added: ‘’We demand a fullscale investigation on what transpired in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly on Monday, November, 19, 2019. This is the only way to discourage further impunity by few individuals and squeeze the fragile peace caused by the rampaging opposition elements in the state.’’

The state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of plotting to create insecurity so the governorship election will be postponed.

Publicity Secretary Ini Emembong said the postponement would allow the concentration of security forces leading to intimidation of PDP supporters in the state.