Police refute security assessment report on Imo

The Police Commissioner, Taiwo Lakanu, has refuted a media report that Imo State is one of the 20 in the country that are unsafe, based on assessment by the United States.

In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Andrew Enwerem, a Deputy Superintendent of Police ((DSP), Lakanu said since his assumption of duties last year, the security situation had improved appreciably in the 27 local councils, wondering why the report came about.

According to the CP, “In the purported report on the website of the US Department of States, Imo was listed among the 20 states of Nigeria declared unsafe in its latest travel advisory to its citizens living in Nigeria.

“The inclusion of Imo as unsafe is not true of the present security situation in the state. Though there were some security challenges in the past, they were not as bad as portrayed by the publication.”

Lakanu noted that before the immediate past Inspector General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase retired, he had commended the state police command for its record of achievement on security issues. “Since the assumption of duty of Lakanu 11 months ago, he has diligently and vigorously curtailed the wave of crime and criminality in the state with the adoption of various strategies and wealth of experience in crime fighting. As a result of the sterling achievements recorded by the police command, Arase, during his visit a few weeks before his retirement, commended the achievements in crime fighting.”

The statement disclosed that the House of Assembly members and the United States Consular General had also passed a vote of confidence on the police command.
“The American Consular-General in Nigeria, John F. Bray visited Imo State on 24th February, 2016 and during his courtesy visit to the Commissioner of Police, he specifically commended the command for their great achievements in ensuring peace and stability in the state.

“It is therefore not an exaggeration to say that Imo State remains the hub of academic, hospitality, entertainment and tourist destination of the South Eastern Nigeria. It is a well-known fact that there is no clime without crime even in USA where explosions and killings occur on regular basis.
“The fact remains that Imo State is one of the safest in Nigeria where economic activities and social life are thriving without much problems,” the CP said.