Anambra police chief summons area commander, DPOs over Onitsha shooting

The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Nnanna Ama, has summoned the area commander and all divisional police officers (DPOs) serving within Onitsha to his office for a “high-level supervisory meeting” over a shooting at a market in Onitsha Area of the state.

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The police spokesman in Anambra State, Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that there was an uproar at the River Niger Head Bridge, Onitsha, on Wednesday afternoon when police operatives shot two traders at the bridge head market.

The operatives had attempted to arrest the traders in the market, but they resisted the arrest, which prompted the shooting.

The summon

In the Thursday statement, Mr Ikenga, a superintendent of police, said the meeting formed part of the commissioner’s ongoing efforts to strengthen operational supervision, accountability and professionalism within the command, particularly in Onitsha, one of the state’s major commercial centres.

“During the meeting, CP Nnanna directed the DPOs to provide detailed briefings on the security situation and policing activities within their respective areas of responsibility, with particular emphasis on measures being taken to prevent and address unprofessional conduct by officers and men under their command.

“The commissioner made it clear that any police officer found abusing the powers entrusted to him or engaging in conduct inconsistent with the standards of the Nigeria Police Force would face appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with established regulations,” he said.

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The spokesman said the police chief also reiterated his zero-tolerance policy towards unprofessional conduct, stressing that no individual or group of personnel would be allowed to undermine the trust and confidence which members of the public have on the Nigeria Police Force.

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According to him, Mr Ama further charged the DPOs to strengthen internal supervision, maintain effective command and control, ensure strict compliance with professional standards and promptly address genuine complaints from residents, traders and business owners within their areas of responsibility.

The commissioner, he added, assured the Onitsha residents and the entire state that the police command remains committed to providing effective, professional, accountable and people-oriented policing.

He equally encouraged members of the public to report security concerns and genuine complaints through the appropriate channels, including the commissioner of police’s dedicated phone line.

The police chief assured that all “credible complaints” received would be given the necessary attention and “appropriately investigated.”