Endsars: Policemen Scared To Wear Uniform When I Assumed Office — Edo CP

Posted by Nwa Diokpa Featured, Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria, News From The State Tuesday, September 14th, 2021

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Philip Ogbadu, says that due to the result of the #EndSARS protests that enveloped the country last year, policemen in the state were afraid to put on their uniforms when he assumed office in January.

Speaking while on a courtesy visit from the National President, Police Officers Wives Association, Hajia Hajara Usman, and her entourage in Benin, Ogbadu stated that the morale of the policemen in the state was also low.

He said: “As at the time we came in January, it was a difficult time in Edo as the effect of the #EndSAR protest in the state was still biting hard. It was a very difficult time so much that the policemen were not wearing their uniforms, they could not go out for patrol, while their morale was low.

“We were also having as many as seven kidnappings and 10 robbery cases in a day but with the management team headed by me and with the assistance of the IG, we were able to reclaim the public space.

“It took time and efforts to build the morale, discipline and confidence of officers to be able to come out to reclaim the public space with the support from the IGP and POWA.”

The CP thanked the POWA president for taking interest in Edo and for making the welfare and empowerment of officers wives a priority.

He said: “With your motherly advice, we have commenced the construction of the police primary school at Etete Division and environmental sanitation exercise at Ogida Barrack.”

On her part, Hajia Hajara Usman, stated that POWA’s visit was to ensure that the officers, men of the state command and the wives of the policemen have a voice.

“We came out to empower widows of fallen heroes and let them know that they are not alone. It is encouraging to knowing that their services to the nation will not go unrewarded as their wives and children are adequately catered for. The police deserve spiritual and moral support from the Federal Government, families and the public at large,” she added.