Following security crisis caused by the activities of militancy, insurgent, cattle herdsmen and other criminalities in the country, Akwa Ibom State Police Command has held stakeholders’ consultative forum to look into security threats in the state.

The town hall meeting was attended by top security officers across various formations, executive and legislative arms of government, traditional and religious leaders, leaders of ethnic groups, youths and women leaders among others representatives.

The State Commissioner of Police, Murtala U. Mani who chaired the forum said the gathering was as a result of the volatility of the security environment hence the need for interest groups to work with one uniform agenda in addressing security situation in the state.

Since meaning development cannot take place in an atmosphere of insecurity, he said the state and individual must work together to ensure adequate security that aid the growth of businesses and expansion of the frontiers of leisure.

Mani commended the state government saying the Command has enjoyed quality support and robust partnership from the government and various groups and people of the state.

Although crime statistics revealed a marginal reduction in major crimes like armed robbery, stealing, burglary, he said control measures must be established to make it impossible for criminals to perpetrate their evil acts without being detected.

Calling for the support of members of the public in crime detection and prevention in the state, the Police Commissioner decried attacks on security operatives in the course of discharging their duties.

“We have had instances where on little provocation, our personnel are attacked and vehicles and other logistics equipment vandalised. It is imperative to admonish that where they do or adjudged to have fallen short of the expected standard, our communities owe it as a duty to ensure that such personnel are not attack and maimed”, he said.

The state Police boss vowed that when the activity of such erring personnel is reported the full weight of disciplinary procedures will be unleashed on him.

He said while security is trying to make the society better in term of crime control, members of the public are expected to avail the Police with credible information and actionable intelligence.

The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Onofiok Luke lauded the state police command for the relative peace enjoy in the state saying statistic revealed that Akwa Ibom is the safest state in the Niger Delta.

The Secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government, Etekamba Umoren represented by the Permanent Secretary in the office, Uduak George Umoh said the meeting was apt considering security challenge being faced in the country.

He said the state government will continue to partner with the State Police Command to reduce crime in the state to the barest minimum.

At the meeting, the head of Muslim community in the state, Iman Adamu assured the state that the issue of killing associated with cattle herdsmen would not occur in the state.

He said the problem is caused by the cattle herdsmen transiting some states, saying what happened in other state would not be seen in Akwa Ibom State as proactive steps have been taken by the resident cattle herdsmen to cheek same. (THISDAY)

•Photo shows Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel.