The Anambra State Police Command is inviting operators of commercial tricycles in Anambra popularly known as Keke, to always be willing to volunteer credible information that will make its job of crime fighting seamless in the state.
The Anambra Commissioner of Police, CR Aderemi Adeoye stated this when he received keke operators in the state capital city of Awka, under the aegis of Anambra Keke Drivers Forum, AKDF, who paid him a solidarity visit at the State Police Command Headquarters, Amawbia.
The keke operators, who bore placards with inscriptions endorsing the CP and the command’s ongoing war against cultists and other criminals in the state, chanted in appreciation of the progress recorded so far since he assumed office as CP of the state.
Addressing the people, CP Adeoye said Keke operators are critical in the gathering of credible intelligence that will enable the police and other security agencies to nip crime in the bud in Anambra State.
This he said, is because their membership cuts across all nooks and crannies of the state.
“With you being our eyes on the ground, there will be no room for crime in Anambra.
“Because the law-abiding and the criminals alike need to ride your keke to get to where they are going, you are a very important stakeholder in the security of the state.
“And that is why we are seeking your support and partnership, in terms of timely notification of the police, on any suspicion of criminal activities in your areas of coverage.
“The Police may not be everywhere but you people are everywhere and with your support, police can respond timeously to security situations and emergencies. You must take this message seriously because overall, the work the police is doing to secure the society is for the ultimate benefit of all the citizens and not just for the police alone,” he said.
Commending the AKDF for the solidarity shown to him, CP Adeoye lauded the new forum for its vision of ensuring that operators are protected from all manner of oppression, extortion, or harm.
He assured that the command is committed to creating a safe environment for them to continue to ply their lawful trade, without any form of intimidation or harassment from any individual or groups.
Earlier in his speech, the Coordinator of AKDF, Comrade Osita Obi explained that the visit was to make it clear that the operators are behind the command in its ongoing onslaught against criminals and cultists making operation difficult for the keke riders in the state.
He acknowledged that since the arrival of CP Adeoye, a lot of criminal activities going on in the state have been eradicated and they are now doing their businesses freely.
“Before CP Adeoye came, no day passes without news of gruesome murder of persons, and sometimes, operators are even involved and this does not in any way help the business of keke transportation because to operate, the environment must be safe.
“Today, it is a different story and we have thought about it and said that we would come to express our support for the good work he is doing.
“CP Adeoye is a refined police officer and an epitome of decency and integrity.
“We want to tell Nigerians and the police authority in Abuja that the man is doing well. We are saying that because of his work, the police should extend the retirement age of police officers.
“We are sincerely grateful to him,” Obi said.
The CP during the visit, undertook to host all keke operators in the state to an end-of-the-party in January, when the Christmas and New Year festivities must have been duly concluded.
