By STEPHEN ADELEYE

Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Betty Isokpan, has warned criminals operating in Kogi and Kwara to relocate or face prosecution, saying Zone 8 Police Command will no longer provide a safe haven for criminal elements.

Isokpan issued the warning on Thursday shortly after assuming office as the new AIG in charge of Zone 8 Police Command, Lokoja, comprising Kogi and Kwara.

She said that the command would intensify community-driven policing, improve response to distress calls and strengthen collaboration with residents to tackle kidnapping and other crimes across the zone.

The AIG, who is the first female and 31st officer to head the zone, was received at the headquarters by the Commissioner of Police, Kogi Command, CP Naziru Kankarofi, and members of the command’s management team.

She said her deployment by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) was based on her experience and track record in managing security challenges in similar terrains.

Isokpan said she had served as Commissioner of Police in Edo, Rivers and Taraba States.

She said her policing strategy would be anchored on respect for human dignity, human rights and partnership with communities.

“There will be no extortion. The doors of the Police are open. See something, say something, and we will do something,” she said.

The AIG said, in line with the IGP’s directive, police deployments to flashpoints in Kogi had been increased, leading to improved response times.

She said the command had also recorded progress in tackling kidnapping, adding that several cases had been investigated and suspects charged to court.

Isokpan warned criminals in the two states to either abandon their activities or be prepared to face the consequences of the law.

She, however, said repentant criminals would be given an opportunity to turn a new leaf, while those who persisted in criminal activities would be prosecuted.

The AIG also identified the Safe School Initiative as a priority, saying the Police would strengthen measures to protect pupils, students and schools from abductions and other security threats.

She said Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) had been directed to conduct scheduled and unscheduled visits to schools, engage students on security awareness and provide contact lines for reporting suspicious activities.

According to her, prompt sharing of information by members of the public would assist the Police in preventing crimes and responding swiftly to emerging threats.

Isokpan said she would build on the achievements of her predecessors while strengthening areas that required improvement.

She assured residents of Kogi and Kwara that the Police would continue to work with communities and other stakeholders to sustain peace and security and ensure that the zone remained safe for law-abiding citizens. (NAN)