Imo CP reads riot act to officers, prohibits illegal checking of residents’ phones, others

From Charles Ogugbuaja and Collins Osuji, Owerri

IState Police Commissioner ( CP), Mohammed Ahmed Barde, yesterday, prohibited his officers and men from illegally checking phones, palmtops and laptops of residents of the state, describing the act as unlawful and intolerable.

He also warned his men against demanding tinted glass permits from motorists and indiscriminate harassment of members of the public, which he said causes the Command embarrassment.

The Command’s spokesperson, Michael Abattam, in a statement, said the Imo Police boss stressed that those caught in the act would be made to face disciplinary actions.

He also advised the youths of the state to desist from using black cellophane to create artificial tinted glasses of their vehicles and spy number plates.

He insisted that only those with factory fitted glasses are free to use them without permit, while others if caught, would have theirs vehicles impounded and the owner punished according to the law. “In the same vein, he advised the youths to ensure that they respect the rule of law and desist from using black cellophane to create artificial tinted glasses on the glasses of their vehicle’s but those with factory fitted tinted glasses are free to use them without permit.

“Also, those in the habit of using spy number plate, covering their car number plates or replaced same with designed logos of the make of their vehicles should desist from such illegal act as, anyone caught, his/ her vehicle will be impounded and the owner will be made to face the full wrath of the law.

“Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police has directed all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers ( DPO) and Tactical Teams Commanders of the various units in the Command to ensure their subordinates are warned against indulging in these practices as any Police Officer found complicit will be made to face disciplinary actions.