By NewsBits
Imo State Police Commissioner (CP), Mohammed Ahmed Barde, has between last December and now, approved the dismissal of eight police officers for involvement in various offences and unprofessional conduct. More than 20 others are facing orderly room trial.
Also, 80 suspected criminals, who committed offences ranging from conspiracy, armed robbery, murder, and rape have been arrested by operatives of the command.
Fielding questions, on Wednesday in an Owerri-based radio programme, People’s Assembly, the Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, Henry Okoye, disclosed that the CP ordered their dismissal and orderly room trial because of their involvement in the crimes.
He added that those facing trial would be sanctioned according to the outcome and gravity of offences. He also said that last week, about N350, 000 was recovered from a police officer, who allegedly extorted it from a citizen, hinting that the money was returned to the owner, while the police officer was detained and would be facing trial.
According to Okoye, the CP has set up a high-powered investigation team to fish out criminals in all nooks and crannies of the state, urging the civil populace to cooperate with them.
He also emphasised on the need for police/community relations and regular town hall meetings between the force and civil populace (youth leaders, religious, traditional rulers among others).
