By Amos Aar, Makurdi
THE National leadership of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) on Wednesday inaugurated the Executive Council (EXCO) of the Benue State Chapter of PCRC with a charge on the new leadership to carry all members along.
In the ceremony which was presided over by the National Chairman of PCRC, Ambassador Farouk Maiyama, who was represented by his Special Adviser, Mu’awiyya Hassan, the National leadership of PCRC said the inauguration was meant to end the lingering crisis in the Benue chapter, noting that at a time the entire country was facing security challenges, they were supposed to be united as one body irrespective of religion and tribe to be able to tackle the menace.
“You are all aware that we have two factions of PCRC in Benue State, one is being led by one Francis and there is another one being led by Chief Attah Ogbu. When we arrived here a day before yesterday, we met with the Commissioner of Police and PRO.
“We also had a meeting with all the groups and stakeholders, and after due consideration from the interactions, we came out with resolutions and these resolutions came from office of the National Chairman on behalf of the National Executive Council.
“On the 14th of July, 2021, we held an internet meeting with the National Chairman and he gave us the report of all our findings in Benue State and based on the findings, we were directed to affirm Chief Attah Ogbu and his EXCO. We reaffirm the formal inauguration we have done here and they will complete their tenure in 2022,” Hassan said.
He warned that with the swearing-in of the authentic EXCO anybody or group parading themselves as Executive of PCRC will be arrested and prosecuted.
State Police Commissioner, Audu Madaki, represented by DSP John Audu, frowned at alleged fake police and PCR identity cards in circulation and made it clear that only genuine ID cards will be considered when PCRC members need help and the Cards are not meant to aid crime but for the sole purpose of assisting the police. He tasked the State PCRC Chairman and his EXCO on peace and harmony to succeed.
In a post inaugural speech, the new state PCRC Chairman, Chief Attah Ogbu, promised to reconcile with aggrieved parties to pave the way for peace and to take the forum to higher heights, assuring that he “will not be a ruler but a leader.”
Chief Ogbu also warned against the possession of fake ID cards, saying that penalties await such people. He expressed confidence in his ability to deliver on his mandate as someone who has never failed in his responsibilities. He said PCRC is not a money making venture and has been rendering selfless service to society, assuring that the efforts will be intensified under his leadership to achieve greater results.
Ogbu, who was a former Vice Chairman of Ado local government council, said he became a registered member of PCRC in 2001 and rose through the ranks to become a substantive Chairman on 14th July 2021. He was State Vice of the forum, Chairman B. Division and Acting State Chairman.
In their separate remarks, PCRC National Assistant Secretary, Sadia Momoh, and PCRC zonal Chairman, Zone 4 Makurdi, Apostle Dr Mary Joshua, all called on the State PCRC EXCO to work as a family so as to maintain peace and security.
Apart from Chief Ogbu, other members of the State PCRC EXCO inaugurated by the National Chairman of PCRC include, Terkura Akombo as Deputy Chairman; Comrade Emmanuel Tordue Bumkeng as Secretary; Hon. Robert Ameh as Treasurer, Alhaji Mohammed Limaza as PRO. Others are Emmanuel Vishigh, State organising secretary; Chief Nze Njoku, State Provost Marshal; Emmanuel Entonu, Auditor 1; Hon. Dede Nwabueze, Auditor 2; and CP Audu Madaki, Patron and Commissioner of Police.
