CALABAR
The Cross River State Police Command, on New Year day celebrated and entertained de- tainees in its command.
The rare celebration was organised by the Anti-Kid- napping and Cultism Squad (AKCS), otherwise known as “Dragon Squad”, for detainees whose cases were still under investigation and awaiting completion of paperwork for onward appearance in court.
About 54 detainees, who were arrested for sundry crimes and in custody due to logis- tics and long holidays, were hosted to a sumptuous meal and an elaborate party by the Dragon Squad under Mr. Abdulhameed Awodi, a super- intendent of Police and his men on New Year day.
Besides the sumptuous meal which they enjoyed, they serenaded themselves with good music using local instru- ments.
The celebration which started on December 25 cli- maxed on New Year day with some of the detainees partici- pating in the cooking, while others led a gyration band to thrill visitors with good songs.
The commissioner of Police, Aminu Alhassan, said that suspects and detainees have rights because they are pre- sumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction. According to him, the best way to motivate your men and boost their morale is to cel- ebrate with them.
He said: “We also decided to celebrate with detainees in our cells, because they are so- cial beings from various fami- lies, they also have rights to certain levels of temporary free- dom while in custody.
“As a father and humane entity, I decided to celebrate my officers and men in this tac- tical unit to appreciate their efforts in 2021 and charge them to do more this 2022, while cel- ebrating with the detainees.”
The commander of Dragon Squad, Awodi, warned kidnap- pers in the state to either stop operations, leave the state or
face the consequences. Awodi, who was the brain behind the ceremony, said “de- tainees are human beings, no matter what they have done, the celebration was just a way to let them know that we un- derstand that various circum- stances brought them here so at this festive season, we have
to celebrate with them.”
He said: “My men and I have worked tirelessly to make sure we rid the state of all forms of criminality, we know that we cannot completely eradicate crime, but we can stem it to the barest minimum, which is what we have done in 2021.
“We are taking a different approach that I can’t discuss in public, but criminals in the state must understand that AKCS is out for them, better prepared and highly motivated than ever before, it’s either you stop kidnapping or you leave Cross River, because we will smoke you out.”
One of the detainees, Roland Ntoi, said the command took them by surprise by bringing a lot of entertainers to give them treat.
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