Edo CP warns personnel against using POS, ATM to extort from residents

Personnel of the Police Command in Edo have been warned against unethical practices and behaviour, especially using the Point of Sale (POS) and the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) to extort residents and members of the public.

The State Commissioner for Police, Abutu Yaro, gave the warning on Friday in Benin through the new Public Relations Officer (PRO), SP Chidi Nwabuzor.

Addressing news men shortly after taking over from the ex-Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, SP Kontongs Bello, Nwabuzor said the CP had directed him to inform newsmen of developments in the command.

According to him, the CP has made series of changes expending the offices of the command, and deploying officers of men to the various offices he created.

“With that the state is on the move again in making sure the state is peaceful for everyone. The CP Abutu Yaro has made policy statement arising from the changes and redeployment of officers and men he has done so far.

“He has warned officers and men of the command to comport themselves and avoid unethical practice and behaviour, especially using the POS and the ATM to extort residents and members of the public.

“He has also warned the officers and men of the command to desist from naked brutality and public dehumanising of the residents,” he said.

Nwabuzor also said that the CP had warned that personnel of the command should desist from any act that could lead to land grabbing.

He further sàid the personnel had been advised to be conscious of their profession and follow it professionally.

The CP also warned against criminal extortion of money on the highways by personnel of the command.

Meanwhile Nwabuzor who had been a PPRO in the command between 2017 and 2021, said that the change of the spokesperson was made by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) on the request of the Edo CP.

He, however, gave assurance that everything expected of the PPRO would be delivered.

“I shall stand by the truth always. I shall stand by the police and the public and report incidences as they occur,” he added.

He solicited for cooperation from both the press and the public to enable him to succeed.

He disclosed that the former PPRO had been redeployed to New Etete Division of the police command as the Divisional Police Officer (DPO).  (The Nation)