Police officers to be retrain in arms handling  in Cross River – CP

By Ene Asuquo 

Cross River police Commissioner, Sule Balarabe hinted that police personnel in the state would be retained in arms handling as general elections in the country approaches.

He dropped the hint during an interview with the press in his office in Calabar recently 

The police boss maintained that it is important to have the retraining to avoid what happened in Lagos State where a policeman was reported to have mistakenly shot a female lawyer.

 According to the police chief, “Many of our men have forgotten the basic handling of firearms. Sometimes they become unconscious that they have cocked the firearms”

He stressed that the retraining of police officers  in Cross River in arms handling will help to avert  accidental discharges especially as the country get close to general election period.

He added that  all policemen in the state, including those serving in offices will be deployed on election duty.

In his words, “I am happy that new batch of personnel have just graduated from the police training school in Odukpani local government area of the state 

“Those assigned to the state  will all be deployed for the election.”

“I expects that the general election in the state will be very peaceful because the l people of the state are  peace loving people 

The CP also  disclosed that in other to curb possible election violence in the state, he has further decided to meet with all political party leaders at all levels starting with those in the northern senatorial district of the State 

According to him, “party supporters from the two major parties who were arrested and detained over allegations of destroying party symbols and campaign posters have been released.”

“After satisfactory Investigations, a particular party asked me to release only their supporters. I said No. I had to release all the 65 suspects from both parties.

“We want to hold meetings with ward leaders so that they can talk to their supporters and members at the grassroots not to be violent but respect the other contenders, ensuring peaceful elections.”