Governor Okezie Ikpeazu today played host to the new Commissioner of Police posted to head the State Police Command, CP Mustapha Mohammed Bala.
The new Commissioner of Police was accompanied by the outgone Commissioner and new Assistant Inspector General of Police, Janet Agbede who was promoted and posted out of the State.
Governor Ikpeazu welcomed the new CP and tasked him to build on the successes of his predecessor. The Governor assured the new Commissioner that his administration will support the new Commissioner to achieve his set objectives of securing the lives and properties of the people of Abia State.
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu used the opportunity to formally congratulate AIG Janet Agbede on her new promotion, stating that her promotion was a clear evidence of the hardwork and commitment she put into her work as Commissioner of Police, and wished her well in her new posting.
The Governor described Abia State as one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria today and attributed it to the grace of God and the proactive security architecture in the State coupled with the strong Inter agency cooperation amongst the various security agencies in the State. He urged the new Police Chief to take advantage of the existing platforms to sustain the gains already made and improve on the current status.
In her speech, the former Commissioner of Police in the State, AIG Janet Agbede thanked the Governor for the support he consistently provided to the State Police Command which was the reason behind the successes achieved by the Police in the State. He also appealed to the Governor to extend the same measure of support to the new Commissioner.
Earlier, the new Abia State Commissioner of Police, CP Mustapha Mohammed Bala thanked the Governor for receiving him and informed him that having assumed duties at the Command Headquarters, he came to pay the traditional homage to the Governor. He assured the Governor that he would build on the existing foundations laid by his predecessor and provide security to the people of Abia State.
CP Mustapha Mohammed Bala, psc, hails from Sandamu Local Government Area of Katsina State. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Sociology from the Bayero University, Kano. He also holds a Masters Degree in Law and Criminal Justice from the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. He enlisted into the Nigeria Police in 1992 as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police.
He was until his new appointment as Abia State Commissioner of Police, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Owerri, Imo State.
He had also served as Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations in Zone 3, Yola and the Kaduna State Command. He was also Deputy Commissioner in charge of Zone 6, CID, Calabar, Cross River State, amongst others.
Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Okey Ahiwe and the Commissioner for Homeland Security, Hon Sopuruchi Bekee were part of the event while the while the wife and children of the new Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner in the State Command Umuahia, Area Commander Aba, Commander MOPOL 55 Osisioma, Commander of the Rapid Response Squad and the Divisional Police Officer, Eastern Ngwa Division, Umuobiakwa all accompanied the new Commissioner on the visit.
In a related development, Mustapha Mohamed Bala, has urged Abians not to panic over the inclusion of the state among the high-risk states on the latest terror alert issued by the United Kingdom.
The Police boss who was fielding questions from newsmen after assuming office at state police headquarters Umuahia on Friday said that the command in collaboration with other security agencies was not leaving anything to chance in its bid to ensure the all-around security of lives and property of residents.
Mr Bala who was until his posting the Deputy Commissioner of Police in Imo State said that the command would also utilize intelligence gathering and proactive policing to neutralize any terror threat.
He said that the command, besides some other tactical measures which would not be made public, would embark on the massive deployment of personnel to keep criminals at bare from the state.
The Katsina-born new police chief, promised hard times for the criminals terrorising the state, particularly around the Umunneochi axis, hinting that a joint operation with neighbouring states was in the offing to flush out criminals taking refuge in the area.
He assured that under his watch, Abia would witness a peaceful Yuletide, while soliciting support and cooperation of members of the public.
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