By Ahmed Ajikobi
The Kwara State Police Command has welcomed a new Commissioner of Police, Bashir Makama who took over the baton from Bolaji Fafowora, who has now been transferred to Abuja as Commissioner of Police Administration.
Makama resumed to his duty post last Friday following approval by the Inspector General of Police(IGP),Ibrahim Idris.
The new CP while addressing newsmen at police headquarters, vowed to wield the big stick against politicians and political parties whose members engage in hate speech, fake news and destruction of bill boards and posters.
He also promised to provide a level playing ground for all political parties even as he asked politicians in the state to play the game according to rules.
The police boss warned against vote buying or vote selling in the coming elections.
“Political thuggery, possession of unauthorised firearms of any category remained banned and unlawful.
“Hate speeches, fake news, destruction of bill boards and posters, and banners of political parties will not be tolerated. At this point as political campaign takes centre stage, parties are enjoined to seek for security permit as unapproved political rallies and gatherings and processions will not be tolerated.
“The command as a point of duty will provide a level playing ground for all political parties to operate. Meanwhile politicians are advised to at all times play the game according to the rules and provisions of extant laws guiding electoral process,” he added.
Makama, who hails from Jos, Plateau State, is a graduate of Bayero University where he studied Sociology. He also bagged Masters degree in Law and Criminal Jurisprudence in same institution.
He joined the Force as a cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police, where he served virtually in all the departments.
He held the position of Police Public Relations Officer, Operation officer, Divisional Police Officer in several Divisions in Lagos and other states, Area Commander in Suleja and Port Harcourt.
He was among the seven pioneer U.K trained community policing officers.
He established community policing in Enugu, Kano, Jigawa and Benue states and served in the Special Investigation Unit, Abuja.
He was one-time Assistant Commissioner of Police, Anambra State, deputy commissioner of police, in charge operations at the peak of Boko Harram activities in Kano State command.
He was also a deputy commissioner of police Special Protection Unit(SPU) Abuja.
He was promoted to the enviable rank of Commissioner of Police in 2016 and posted as CP, Benue State where his policing acumen brought herdsmen brutal attack in the state to a standstill.
He was also transferred as Commissioner of Police Administration in Force CID Abuja where he served until his recent posting to Kwara State.
