Business groups and other stakeholders in Aba, Abia have called on the police to restrain their men from unlawful actions to improve their relations with the populace.

The stakeholders made the call in Aba on Friday at a police/community partnership forum organised by the Aba Area Command of the police in conjunction with the Coalition of Business Groups and Associations in the area.

Speaking at the event, the traditional ruler of Aba, Eze Isaac Ikonne, said that the police had some bad eggs full of unlawful activities unknown to its hierarchy.

“Policemen extort road users, intimidate, harass citizens and scare them from giving information to the police by leaking such information before the giver leaves their office.

“The police authorities should take time to find out what their men are doing from time to time by asking residents in confidence and punishing erring police officers.”

On his part, the Obi of Ahaba, Eze Moses Nwannu, frowned at the return of transferred policemen to Abia two weeks after they were moved to other states.

He said that the corrupt practices making the “working of transfer” by policemen possible should be stopped to ensure that they did not align with criminals to terrorise the people.

Nwannu urged the police authorities to transfer policemen who had stayed beyond two years in the state to restrain them from supporting criminal gangs and encouraging lawlessness.

Also contributing, Chief Goddy Egbuchulam, the Chairman of Hoteliers Association of Nigeria, Aba chapter, called on the police to stop their men from frequent harassment of lodgers which affectsed their businesses.

“The commissioner should ensure that when policemen need to come to hotels, he should contact the owner or manager directly or through the area commander rather than barging-in on lodgers.”

In his speech, Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu said that the state would ensure that its resources were deployed to promote peace and harmony among the residents.

Ikpeazu, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Eme Okoro, said that the police/community relationship would help to safeguard the investment of Abia residents.

He urged the police to respect the people and give them the opportunity to create wealth.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Habila Joshack, cautioned policemen against impunity, stressing that the new face of the police which encouraged community policing had no chance for that.

He called for a cordial relationship between the police and their host communities to flush out criminals in Abia which would not be possible without the collaboration of all the stakeholders. (NAN)

•Photo shows Governor Ikpeazu.

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