The umbrella body of all the youth organizations in the South East geopolitical zone under the auspices Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, COSEYL, has applauded the redeployment of the immediate past Commissioner of Police in Abia state, now AIG Ene Okon to Zone 9 Police headquarters in Umuahia.
This is even as the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB insists that AIG Okon must leave Umuahia, accusing him of having a hand in the death of parents of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Addressing newsmen in Owerri on Monday, COSEYL says redeployment of AIG Okon is a good development especially with the escalating criminality in the South East, describing him as a tested hand.
The youth leaders who endorsed a statement on behalf of their various organizations noted that AIG Okon understands the terrain where he has been redeployed to work, commending the Ag. IGP Usman Alkali Baba for what it called his foresightedness in appointing AIG Okon to head the zone.
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The statement partly read, “The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, COSEYL, the umbrella body of all the youth organizations in the South East geopolitical zone is deeply grateful to the Acting Inspector General of Police, Ag. IGP Usman Alkali Baba for his foresightedness in appointing a tested and experienced and capable hand to man the affairs of the Police Zonal Headquarters, Zone 9, Umuahia, Abia State. This wise deployment by the acting IGP is a clear indication that he is simply out to nib crime in the bud as he had said.
READ ALSO: Former Abia CP, Okon Redeployed As New Police AIG Zone 9 Umuahia
“It is unfortunate that the country is presently faced with serious security challenges – at ever part – that have sent some investors parking while making willing and intending investors to abort such an idea entirely. But with the present steps so far taken by the Acting IGP in reorganizing the security architecture of the country, we are confident that the present security challenge, especially in the South East, will soon be a thing of the past.
“Ladies and gentlemen, one of major key strategies of winning the war against insecurity and terror – whether domestic or transborder – is putting those with experience of the coordinates of the area to be secured in position to man and secure such areas. The South East zone, hitherto, was known as a very peaceful area relatively, but suddenly things took the worse turn as against the status quo ante. With the current trend and trajectory, it is only someone who knows the terrain very well can give us the desired results without much ado. This is were AIG Okon, in all fairness, comes in.
“When Okon was the Commissioner of Police in Abia State, he dealt with criminal elements as crime was drastically reduced to the barest minimum. The state was too hot for criminals that they have to relocate elsewhere. It is on record that there was no any incident of bank robbery when he held sway because, he foiled and thwarted every attempt or plot to do so. Why was it easy for him to seize initiative and preempt such plots? Because he is a man whose professionalism in security hinges on intelligence.
“Okon was not a police officer that stayed in the confines of his office enjoying the cozy air and comfort of his air-conditioned office. Instead, he went to the field with his officers to combat and arrest criminals. This was the strategy he used to boost the morale of his officers and men who seeing him in the theatre and sector had their best to give. He was a man of discipline, intelligence, and order and these mean much to him.
“May I remind this August assembly that Mr. Etim Ene Okon redefined the office of the commissioner of police during his commissionership. He saw everyone first as human and then a Nigerian with no biases, unlike those in the uniformed services kept and paid by taxpayers money who consider other citizens outside the security agencies as “bloody civilians”. He abhors corruption, indiscipline and inefficiency as a result-oriented officer of the federal republic. He was a man anchored on the principle of integrity and honesty which remain to date his stay and work ethics. Okon Ene, it is known, dislikes intimidation, victimisation, and harassment of any kind; a true definition of professionalism. He was admired vertically top-bottom by all commissioned officers down to the rank and files as available records show.
“He answered his calls at anytime of the day, even at midnight hours, to attend to security matters, as he understood his work as the watchman of his charges. His phone lines were, for this reason, always available daily, never sleeping nor slumbering.
“If familiarity indeed makes the work of fixing insecurity easier, then we are not in any way far from achieving our desired goals of having a regional sustainable lasting peace and security in the South East. Ours, as a youthful coalition, will now take the form of appeal. Since we are lucky to be favoured by this security rejig with Okon Ene posted here, it behooves all stakeholders to work with him, assist him to get this job, which we are sure he is capable of doing. We call on youth, parents, traditional and religious leaders, and leaders of various guilds and associations to co-operate with the man who has shown his expertise before. This should be a task for us all today to assist him in whatever way we can to achieve regional peace so that life returns to normal in our region; desperate times need desperate measure.
“To this end is COSEYL committed towards ensuring regional peace so that our people can do their legitimate businesses and go about their jobs having no fear because, with the Sheriff in town, it will never be business as usual for criminals and hoodlums. This journey has begun and we as a Coalition are willing to go it every mile till peace is reached, we, therefore, say thanks for your time. “
Signed:
Hon Goodluck Egwu Ibem
President General
Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL).
League of Igbo Youth Professionals (LIYP).
Comrade Kanice Igwe
Secretary-General
Hon. Christian Ndubuisi
Imo Youth Assembly (IYA).
Comrade Chinedu Udo
Enugu Integrity Forum (EIF)
Mr. Joseph Chukwuemeka
Igbo Progressive Assembly (IPA).
Chief Onyebuchi Nwankpa
Abia Renaissance Group (ARG)
Chinonso Samuel
Oganiru Youth Forum (OYF).
Hon. Udensi Ikechukwu
Igbo Grassroot for Good Governance (IGGG).
