NEW Commissioner of Police for Kwara state, Kayode Egbetokun, has assumed duty on Sunday, promising that his past postings will not influence the discharge of his duty in his new post.
Speaking with journalists in Ilorin on Sunday, the new Kwara police boss refused to respond to series of allegations over his posting, threatening to deal with people who spread falsehood and unsubstantiated allegations.
He said he was ready to offer protection for those who have been on the streets of Ilorin protesting his deployment, so long as they remain peaceful.
Egbetokun also said that he was ready to work with officers and men he met on ground, adding that he had worked with some of the officers on different occasions as an officer.
“I am excited to be in Kwara, for one reason. I came in this morning and many of the officers I met on ground are men that I have known and I know they have integrity. They are fantastic men that I have met before and I look forward to working with them again.
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“The success of a police commissioner depends on the team that he has to work with. I just feel very much at home in Kwara. All these officers know what I stand for; everywhere I have worked I am committed to excellent service delivery.
“I am in Kwara to discharge my duty with vigour, honesty and integrity. Where I have worked before doesn’t matter. I believe in the principle of rule of law, fairness and justice. My stay in Kwara will be very pleasant. I am committed to upholding and protecting the human rights of the people. However criminal elements will not have a hiding place here; they either decide to change or relocate.
“I am sure the Inspector General of Police has responded adequately to the issue of my posting and so I don’t have anything to say again on that. Silence, they say is golden, although sometimes people may mistake your silence for acceptance of guilt but in this case, I know I am not guilty. I will provide a level playing field for all participants.
“I see protests as an exercise of fundamental rights, as long as it remains peaceful. So protesters will always be protected, it doesn’t matter if the protest is against me. As long as you remain peaceful, you will have my cover.
“I want to warn; let us all be careful not to spread falsehood, let us be careful not to get used to a culture of engaging in misrepresentation of facts. It is dangerous, it is not good for our country”, he said.
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