Cross River State Commissioner of Police, Olusegun Omasanyin, says “there are absolutely no shrines in police stations in the state…there is nothing of such existing in the Cross River State Police command. Our constitution believe in fetish practices tied into law enforcement. I go to these facilities in unscheduled visits to make sure that their work is properly done.”
The CP was responding as guest, to comments by a caller on the HIT 95.9 FM, Calabar, Saturday morning programme, “The Public View”, insinuating that the police station in Satellite Town, Calabar, has shrines at the station’s back and further that when suspects are taken to the station, for whatever reason, they are taken to the shrines to swear they are not guilty.
For complaints about the indiscriminate use of sirens by motorists in the state, Omasanyin pronounced that from Monday, June 23, 2025, the police in Cross River will begin the interrogation and subsequent arrest and prosecution of motorists, who are outside the category of persons, recognized by law, to use sirens. “We will send out information from Monday, to ensure that the opportunity and privilege of using a siren is not abused.” For motorists who cover their plate numbers, the CP informed that he will collaborate with the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, to stop this illegality.
On the attitude of several of his men conducting stop and search operations in the state, the CP revealed that, against the backdrop of complaints about his men during such operations and the time wasting factor for several persons, especially going to work in the morning, “we will vary time and not disrupt people going to genuine businesses. But then too, we cannot abandon stop and search operations because of how operations like this help us combat crime.”
While commending the Chairman of Akpabuyo Local Government Area, Effiong Bassey Effiong, for the building and renovation of the police station in Ikot Nakanda, he solicited for support and encouragement to officers and men in the 34 Divisions and six Area Commands, in the state.
