COVID-19: Oyo CP Cautions People Against Panicky, Persistent Calls On Nonexisting Criminal Activities

The Commissioner of Police Oyo State Command, CP Shina T. Olukolu psc(+) has observed with dismay and trepidation, the persistent,  panicky and wide spread distress calls on non-existing criminal activities in several communities across the state,  but rampant in the night time in the State capital, Ibadan.

Olukolu lamented this in a release issued by the State's Police Public Relations Officer(PRO), SP Fadeyi Olugbenga and made available to Naija Today News on Modnay, April 20th.

In his words, "The Oyo State Police Command is conscious, capable, ready and willing to carry out its constitutional responsibilities of the protection of lives and properties, maintenance of law and order and other extant laws in Oyo State, therefore,  the Commissioner of Police appeals to the entire peace, loving and good people of Oyo State to be circumspect in their persistent,unverified or nonexistent criminal activities and distress calls to the Police Command on a daily basis particularly at night time". 

"There is no doubt that some of the unpalatable and fear inducing, stories, videos and write ups they probably have seen/ watched on the social media, whatsapp platforms and the Newspapers may have psychologically been responsible for some of these unverified distress calls mainly burn out of fear".

"It must however be noted that the persistency of such unverified distress calls have largely served as a distraction and thereby derailing the focus and the concentration of Security Agencies reaction to genuine victims who are actually in distress".

" In as much as the Commissioner of Police is very highly appreciative of the communal efforts, including that of the Vigilante Groups, the Hunters, Landlords, Youths and the entire citizenry efforts and collaboration to rid our society of criminal elements in our midst, but the introduction of panicky measures of burning tires on the roads which is a critical infrastructure, the firing intermittently of gun shots under the guise of scaring criminal elements away, the beating of the gates of neighbours in a bid to force them to join the Vigilante groups as well as the uncontrolled acquisition of dangerous weapons by individuals is an open invitation to anarchy, chaos and unprecedented, bastardisation of the security architecture.

Consequently, the Commissioner of Police wishes to appeal to all and sundry to be patient, show more understanding and get across to the security agencies via their EMERGENCY telephone numbers namely: 0705 5495 41, 0808 1768 614 and 615 (toll free) only when it is absolutely necessary".

" It must be noted that these telephone numbers are active and being attended to 24/7 i.e. on a daily basis for 24 hours. 

Hence, except where it becomes absolutely necessary, People are strongly advised to use these emergency numbers, rather than individual officers’ personal GSM numbers which are reserved for extreme cases".

"In addition, another major observation of the Commissioner of Police is the nonchalant concerns of many of our people as to the reality of COVID-19 and the subsequent rules and regulations, medical advisories and curfew imposed on the State by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde from 7pm to 6am. 

I want to seize this opportunity to reiterate and remind our people that COVID-19 is real, so we must obey the rules and regulations and the medical advisories including the curfew imposed on the state. The recalcitrant individuals are hereby strongly warned to desist from their nonchalant attitudes as the Security Agencies are ready and willing to enforce the curfew and other extant rules imposed on the state for the benefits of all and sundry in our collective efforts to fight and defeat the pandemic".

"The enforcement is being monitored on a daily basis by the Commissioner of Police himself.

I wish to reiterate that the Security Agencies in Oyo State led by the Nigeria Police Force are ready, willing, determined to ensure that lives and properties in Oyo State are safe and secured, while encouraging the law abiding citizens to go about their lawful businesses without any fear or favour as adequate security have been emplaced to protect them".

"The criminal elements in our midst will be given a good fight and brought to justice anytime, any moment, anywhere they commit an infraction against the law". "Nonetheless, the Commissioner of Police wishes to continue to solicit for a more fruitful partnership, synergy, collaboration and support of the people with useful credible and timely information to enable us serve them better".