Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State, Mrs Augustine Ogbodo, was at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, for a briefing with the Inspector general of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, where he said his officers and men “are charged and ready to tackle hoodlums towards ensuring a hitch-free Yuletide in the state. Already, we have arrested 20 suspected hoodlums in their various scenes of crime.”
He said his meeting with the IGP was fruitful and that the command was in high spirit in discharging its duties: “The command has recorded great achievements in 2023. We were able to smoke hoodlums especially armed robbers and kidnappers out of the state. We succeeded in raiding their hideouts in Abakaliki and Afikpo. We recovered arms and ammunition from them.
“The state will be safe for peaceful celebration during this Yuletide period. We have identified strategies and vulnerable points across the state. We will not take any chance in ensuring safety in all parts of the state.
“Members of IPOB/ESN have been effectively checkmated. Some arrested suspected members were investigated and charged to court.
“Police operatives arrested 10 suspected armed robbers terrorising the state. They confessed to the crime and some weapons were recovered from them. The Police Tactical Team (PTT) with the Anti-Kidnapping Squad (AKS) arrested suspected kidnappers along the Abakaliki-Enugu Expressway, after raiding their hideouts. Some escaped and abandoned their arms and ammunition.
“The command appreciates the state government for providing operational vehicles with the other sister agencies including vigilance group and the hunters. They provide support to checkmate the hoodlums.
“I have deployed personnel to highways and strategic places. This will ensure effective visibility and patrols. These are proactive measures to safeguard public spaces, maintain peace and order as well as safe lives and properties before, during and after the Yuletide period.”