19th May, 2015
The new Police Commissioner for Ekiti State, Etop John James, on Tuesday pledged to restore peace in the state.
James was named the new commissioner of police in the state barely 48 hours after Gov. Ayo Fayose complained to the Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, over the spate of kidnappings in the state.
The new CP, on arrival in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday, met with a section of the populace at the Trade Fair Complex.
Those he met included lawmakers-elect, students, traders and commercial motorcyclists.
James said that he would listen to all legitimate groups in addressing the security challenges confronting the state.
“Any group that is legitimate is free to talk to me. I will use all information I have now and I will listen to others.
“I am here to ensure peace. I was given only one mandate; it is to go and do police job. My duty is to have peace,” he said.
The new CP, who led the special squad deployed in the state by the IGP, was appointed following a Save Our Soul by Gov. Fayose to the IGP in Abuja.
Fayose had urged him to urgently intervene in the increasing wave of criminality in the state.
The appeal came just as the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) suspended services across hospitals in the state to protest non-release of some members kidnapped by hoodlums.
The chairman of the association, Dr John Akinbote, said in a statement that members had been directed to suspend services because their safety could not be guaranteed.
No fewer than 10 persons comprising medical doctors, academics and nurses are still being held by kidnappers.