PRESS RELEASE
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has declared that it will no longer be business as usual for perpetrators of Sexual and Gender Based Violence in the state.
The State Commissioner for Police, Mr. Andrew Amenghieme read the riot act on Wednesday, 16th February 2022, while receiving the State Gender Based Violence Management Committee led by the Wife of Governor, Her Excellency, Dr. (Mrs.) Martha Udom Emmanuel at the Force Headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo.
The Police Chief said henceforth all cases of rape and violence against persons in the state would not be treated with kid’s gloves, stating that perpetrators of the crime deserve to be dealt decisively within the ambit of the law.
CP Amenghieme while thanking the governor’s wife and her Committee for their vociferous campaign and advocacy against the crime in the state assured that the Police would not renege on its mandate of arresting and prosecuting offenders of the heinous crime. He added that henceforth, the Police would not accept any out-of-court settlement and insisted that all matters regarding Sexual and Gender Based Violence will be resolved in the court of law for justice to prevail.
Earlier in her remarks, the Wife of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Her Excellency Dr. Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel who also doubles as the Chairperson of the State Gender Based Violence Management Committee, said they were at the Force headquarters to brainstorm and synergize on the way forward to curb the crime in the state.
She noted that while many achievements have been recorded since the committee was inaugurated by the Governor some months ago, more grounds still needed to be covered to make headway.
Dr. Emmanuel while reading out the terms of reference of the committee for the Police boss, said they were against money exchanging hands whenever arrest is made, granting of bail to the culprit, and demanding money from victims of rape for prosecution, pleading that all cases of Sexual and Gender Based Violence must be handled by the family Unit of the Force headquarters.
There was also an interactive session where questions were raised by members of the Committee and answers given by the Police boss.
