Mr Ede Ayuba, the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Zone 8, Lokoja, has implored journalists to increase their support for the Nigeria Police to strengthen crime fighting.
Ayuba, also the outgoing Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, made the call during the handover ceremony at the headquarters of the Police Command on Monday in Lokoja, Kogi.
The AIG described the fight against crime and criminality as onerous, adding that the media had been consistent in their support but would want the synergy to be further strengthened for attainment of a crime-free Nigeria.
Ayuba, who assumed duty as Commissioner of Police in Kogi on December 31, 2019, attributed his success as Commissioner to the cooperation and support of the media.
“You remember by your records that on the 1st of January 2020, barely 24 hours after my taking over, there was a massive attack on Tawari village where 20 people were massacred and you people stood by me.
“After that, there was the incident of cult killing at Anyigba just about seven days after, and 10 weeks into my assumption of office, there were some cult clashes in Idah, resulting in loss of lives.
“And from there, we had kidnappings, robberies and other crimes and in every situation, I want to thank you because you were solidly behind us,” said Ayuba.
Ayuba said his exit from office as Commissioner was as a result of his elevation to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) and subsequent deployment to Zone 8, to oversee Kogi and Kwara commands.
He urged the media to support his successor, CP Arungwa Nwazue: “As I’m checking out, the IGP has deemed it fit to get us yet another Commissioner of Police.
“I believe with his versatile knowledge of policing and his operational prowess, we are going to get greater results than what we have gotten from me.
“In the police force you cannot go alone as an individual. It takes collective efforts for the Police to succeed and that is why you as journalists.”