The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has cautioned hoteliers and others within the hospitality industry in the State against deliberately making their facilities available to criminal elements.
In a statement issued on Monday January, 27,2025 its spokesperson, Timfon John DSP, the Police warned that any hotels found to be harbouring criminal elements or playing host to criminal activities will be subjected to raids and closure pending the conclusion of investigations.
The State Police Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare who issued the marching order at an interactive session with hotel operators and other critical stakeholders within the industry ,at the state Command headquarters in Uyo, emphasized the urgent need for collaboration to effectively curb the rising trend of criminal elements using hotels as operational base .
He explained that available intelligence has shown that some criminals in the State are either hiding in hotels or operating from them.
CP Azare therefore urged hotel operators ,and mangers to be vigilant and monitor the activities of their guests.
He also called for the maintenance of accurate records of persons lodging in their establishments .
” It is your responsibility to ensure that your premises are not used as safe haven for criminals .Any hotels found to be harbouring or covering criminal elements will leave the Command with no option than to raid the premises and shut them down for investigations” the CP warned .
He stressed the importance of hoteliers ,and managers reporting suspicious individuals and activities to the Police.
He deplored a situation whereby stakeholders wait until crime is committed before reporting to the police.
The Commissioner noted that the Police is not interested in disrupting business activities of hotel operators, but is only out to be proactive in halting criminal activities in the state .
Further speaking, CP Azare underscored the need for all stakeholders to be involved in the security of the State.
“We must work together to maintain the reputation of Akwa Ibom as one of the most peaceful states in the country”, CP Azare stated.
Responding, the President of Hotels Owners Association in the State, Daniel Udoh, expressed gratitude to the Commissioner of Police for his proactive approach towards ensuring security in Akwa Ibom.
He lauded the efforts of the CP in engaging stakeholders, in the industry and assured of the unalloyed cooperation of operators in fighting crime in the State.
Udoh also expressed the commitment of hotel owners to enhancing security within their premises through the maintenance of accurate guest records, monitoring of guests activities, as well as reporting suspicious individuals or activities.
The meeting brought together key stakeholders from the hospitality and tourism sector, including the Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria, Nigerian Hotels Association, Restaurant and Bars Association of Nigeria and, Hotels Owners Association, among others.
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