Security
By Uwumarogie Peter
Gombe, May 15, 2018 (NAN) Gombe State Police Command, led by the Commissioner of Police, Shina Olukolu, on Monday advised motorcycle/ tricycle (keke NAPEP) operators to be security conscious and be mindful of safe time for their operation.
Olukolu gave the advice at a sensitisation as part of the Community Policing Programme mounted by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris.
NAN reports that the theme of the programme is “ A Security Review of the Motorcycles (Achaba)/Tricycles (Keke NAPEP) operations in Gombe State: The Way Forward”.
He said the involvement of some of the members, who had criminal minds and engaged in nefarious activities, had necessitated the programme.
According to him, security of the members of the unions and the entire state is a business of everyone; hence it is the responsibility of the unions to assist the police.
He emphasised that the time stipulated for the members of the unions to operate was between 5.30 a.m and 10.00 p.m, adding that anything above would amount to a breach of the law.
“Some of the members who are criminally minded have seized the opportunity to engage in criminal acts and other nefarious activities.
“These untoward acts such as armed robbery, theft from passengers, rape, hurt and conspiracy to commit crime which dent the good names of members of the unions necessitated this sensitisation.
“This is an event to deliberate, discuss, agree and hand out copies of the codified tips on the possibility of how you, the operators can re-engage, re-invent, re-enact and regain the trust of the members of the public.
“The operators should remember that it is their civic responsibility to assist the police by giving them very useful and genuine information to enable the police to do their job.
“The matter of security is too important to be left in the hands of the police, hence the need for partnership with a view to ridding our society of criminal elements.
“ This is one of the community policing philosophies being used as a panacea to solve societal problems as related to crimes,’’ he said.
NAN also reports that a 22-security-tip pamphlet was given to all the cyclists in attendance.
On his part, the Chairman of the Motorcycle Riders Association (Achaba), Mr Hassan Ahmad, said members were on the same page with the police on the time of its members operations.
He emphasised that anyone operating beyond the stipulated time by the police was not their member and should be arrested for interrogation.(NAN)
UP/HUL/IA