By Johnbosco Agbakwuru
CALABAR—Acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has commissioned the Emergency Response Centre Quick Intervention Squad set up by the Cross River State Government to rid the state of criminal elements.

He described the state as one with the lowest rate of crime in the country.

Speaking on the occasion, Abubakar said security was key to the well-being of citizens and fundamental to economic development, noting that the active involvement of relevant stakeholders including members of the public was an essential requirement for a crime free society.

He expressed optimism that the facilities provided by the Emergency Response Centre would be put to the best use by the police and other security agencies in the state, but warned members of the squad to be polite, civil and respect the rule of law and abide by the rules and regulations governing the country.

He commended Governor Liyel Imoke for his support to the state police command by  establishing the Emergency Response Centre and upgrading same to incorporate a Quick Intervention Squad as well as Paramedic/Ambulance, Emergency management and fire services.

He said: “I must say that these facilities will aid the operations of the police and other law enforcement agencies, encourage synergy among them and ultimately derive a better control over crime and other anti-social tendencies.”

Governor Imoke, on his part, said crime constituted a major threat to security and the response of the state cannot be compromised for any reason, adding that the state had taken all necessary measures to confront the security challenges with a determined effort to ensure that the state remained one of the most peaceful in the country.