The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammad Azare, fsi, has issued a stern warning to Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the state against the use of the nomenclature “AKWA IBOM CIVIL SOCIETY FORUM.
”This was contained in a statement signed by the command public relations officer DSP Timfon John issued to newsmen.
The directive was issued during a meeting convened by the Commissioner with leaders of various CSOs at the Police Command Headquarters in Uyo.
CP Azare clarified that the use of this name is unlawful as it creates a misleading impression of being the official umbrella body for all CSOs in Akwa Ibom State, which it is not. He consequently ordered all organizations to cease operating under this unauthorized name ( AKWA IBOM CIVIL SOCIETY FORUM) with immediate effect.
The Commissioner of Police further charged all Civil Society Organizations to conduct their activities strictly within the ambit of the law, urging them to avoid any actions capable of disrupting public peace and order in the state.
The meeting was attended by leaders of prominent CSOs, including: the Director, Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network, CHRAN, Franklyn Isong, Director, Executive Director Policy Alert, Comrade Tijah Bolton-Akpan, Executive Director, Comrade Elkanah Oluyori, Dr. Ini Adiakpan, Immediate past State Commissioner of women affairs and representatives from various civil society groups.
