The people of Midim Community in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have lauded the State Police Commissioner, CP S. A. Ogunjemilusi over what they described as his impressive performance in tackling the menace of cultism and insecurity in the state since assuming duty as Commissioner of Police.
The community which is made up of Five villages, Midim Atan, Midim Nto Udo, Midim Ikot Ubo, Ikot Inyang Udo and Ikot Akpan who visited the Police Boss in his office on Friday at the State Police Headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia, thanked him for his gallantry, expertise and uncompromising effort towards crime eradication and prevention in the State, including their area which has witnessed a drastic reduction in the menace of the notorious Akwa Marine Cult group and other social vices that has paralysed business and economic activities in the community.
The community who were led by the Village Head of Ikot Uboh, Chief Abel Wilson, accompanied by other title chiefs and women of Midim Community said they were impressed by the remarkable performance of the Commissioner whom they described as having employed effective policing and high level professionalism which has drastically reduced the crime rate in the community and in the state.
They stated that prior to the posting of Mr Ogunjemilusi to the State, Midim community in Essien Udim LGA had been under siege and constant threat by cultists who freely paraded the villages and its environs, stealing, robbing maiming and killing innocent natives of the community, without fear of God, human sympathy or fear of the law.
They noted that they were treated like animals and severely dealt with mostly by the Akwa Marine cult group that invaded the community until the arrival of the Police Commissioner who immediately swung into action to protect life and properties of citizens in every part of the State, restoring law and other in many hot spots within the state as well as declare total war against criminal elements as witnessed in the killing of many notorious cult and gang leaders across the state, a move they said has restored the peoples confidence in the ability of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command to protect lives and properties as well as make the state inhabitable for criminals and their sponsors.
While they noted with delight the proactive approach by the CP’s Anti- Cultism team, they urged the Police to sustain the drive by ensuring that some unrepentant elements are not allowed to freely parade in the community as they vowed to support the police with useful information and intelligence from time to time.
The community leaders prayed for God’s protection and direction on the Commissioner and wished him continuous progress in the fight against all forms of criminality in the state.
Responding, the Police Commissioner, CP S.A. Ogunjemilusi noted that he was in the State to improve security and that his duty is to protect life and property and maintain peace and order in the society.
He said criminals live among the people, at times, in rural areas, as is the case in recent times and that the Police needs to be in constant touch with the people so as to tackle lawbreakers, and thanked the people of Midim community for appreciating his effort.
“I am here to improve security in the State. As a Commissioner here, my duty is to protect lives and properties of the people. We are very committed to fighting crime, especially in the rural communities and Midim community is just one of those communities we have decisively launched our intelligence on. We are not magicians. We work on information. You should be able to volunteer information to police officers and we would do the rest”.
Ogunjemilusi who also used the occasion to share security tips with the community leaders, maintained that his office was open at all times to receive information that can help to reduce criminal activities in the State. The CP promised that his administration will protect its sources of information and intelligence.
The community also expressed their appreciation to the State Government for providing the enabling environment through the recent proscription of cult gangs in the state and prayed that the drive be sustained.
High point of the event was the presentation of an “Outstanding Performance Award” on the Police Commissioner by Midim Community.
