By CALEB AYANSINA, Abuja

FOLLOWING  the threat by the Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND)  to disrupt today’s celebration of Nigeria’s 51st Independence anniversary, Police Authorities have intensified aerial and ground patrols in the Federal Capital Territory FCT and its environs.

The Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone Seven, Atiku Kafur who stated this yesterday  during his first official visit to the FCT Police Command added that  the Force was more dedicated to stem the rate of crime including the activities of the Boko Haram sect within the FCT and its environs.

He said bombing and other social crimes can be overcome as perpetrators are human beings, stressing that  all we need to do is to dedicate ourselves noting that  it is so unfortunate that the bad eggs are always dragging us back.
Kafur who has Kaduna, Niger and FCT under his watch read the riot act to all men and officers over illegal duties, saying, ‘’it is very rampant in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)’, just as the authorities vow to sanitise the force by flushing out officers with forged certificates.

The AIG decried negative attitude of some policemen towards members of the public  and pointed out  that the force cannot receive any help from  members of the public in a situation whereby the police is seen as their greatest enemy.

He also noted that the era of cutting corners to get promotion without merit is over as any officer with a record of poor performance and those who refuse to attend police courses will surely not be promoted.

His words; “The issue of Boko Haram and other minor crimes could be easily overcome because they (Boko Haram) are human beings like you; all  we need to do is to dedicate ourselves  The Inspector General of Police  is very much concerned over your welfare; so you have every reason to work hard; our salary will improve with other facilities.”

He lamented that  there were “bad eggs among the rank and file of the police who were always dragging us back.”

Commenting  on the issue of illegal duty, he said  reports reaching him indicated that some bad eggs were engaging in illegal duty adding that the  situation was not very different from where I left (Sokoto)

He said based on what he had heard this ugly practice by policemen is very rampant within the FCT.

Said he: “Some of them go to the extent of even committing crimes;  so anybody who is arrested for illegal duty will be punished and dismissed immediately.”

He continued: “It so surprising  that after some of you have collected  your salary, you still go to  do illegal duty to get quick  money.  This job is not for everybody; so if you are chosen to do this job you should be grateful because it is an opportunity to do a job you have pledged to do.”

“Constitutionally it is our duty to make sure that we reduce crime rate to the barest minimum, but since we cannot do it alone, why can’t  we involve members of the public to come and assist us?”

“ We have to show them that we are ready and that we can do it.  In a situation where they know we are not serious, how will you expect them to come and assist us?” he asked.

“There are some among us that are not ready to partner with  members of the public; because of  such attitude, you are harassing them every day on the high way.”

He asked: “How will they be comfortable with you?”

Why should you turn yourself to a public threatened? Extortion! I am telling you if you change you will see members of the public coming to assist us, they are always ready to come forward for our assistance, every body is praising us when we go out for our talent or performance why cant we use our talent here at home.

Earlier, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Michael Zuokumor expressed the determination of the command to curb crime rate in the Federal Capital Territory, while stressing that  accommodation was a major challenge confronting the Command.