Covid-19: Drama as ‘bribe-taking’ Policemen sight CP, abandon riffle, operation vehicle



Six Policemen, who were allegedly extorting money from the public at check point in Okaki, a boundary community between Rivers and Bayelsa state are in trouble for abandoning their vehicle, an AK47 riffle and escaping into the bush on siting the convoy of Bayelsa state Commissioner of Police.
The incident took place when the Police Commissioner in Bayelsa, Nkereuwem Akpan, and a team of security officials embarked on an unscheduled visit to some border points in the state, including Okaki, Glory Drive and Patani, to inspect the level of compliance of the people to the lockdown order announced by the state governor, Senator Douye Diri.
Mr. Akpan’s convoy which was without the usual siren, stopped at the Okaki check point only for the policemen to disappear into the bush on recognising the state police chief, and in the course of the pandemonium, one of police officers abandoned his AK47 rifle while another was apprehended at the spot.


The Police commissioner who was enraged at the development later cautioned the apprehended police officer and discharged him, but went away with the rifle of the run-away officer. 
He later addressed security men at the various borders. 
Commenting on the index case of COVID-19 in the state, Mr. Akpan warned the officers comprising the police, Civil Defence, Road Safety and other para-military persons at the entry points, against engaging in corrupt practices, but perform their duties diligently.
He reminded them that everyone including security officials were endangered species to coronavirus, and admonished them to up their games.


While urging them to adhere strictly to all preventive measures, he added that they can contract the virus through the money they collect from people.
Mr. Boma Spero-Jack, technical adviser to the state governor on Security matters and the security sub-committee Chairman on COVID-19 Task Force Team, who was also on the Police Commissioner entourage also addressed the operative.
Mr. Spero-Jack who decried the level of corruption amongst the security personnel at the entry points, described it as alarming and embarrassing.

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