Governor Umo Eno has decried the spate of vandalisation of public facilities, especially transformers, in Akwa Ibom.

Mr Eno said this when he received the new commissioner of police, Baba Azare, who paid him a courtesy visit on Tuesday in Uyo.

The governor said it required a lot of public funds to replace vandalised infrastructure, while the act also hindered rural development.

He assured the new police chief of his government’s support to enable him to combat crime and maintain peace and security in Akwa Ibom.

The governor added that the government had always maintained a robust and good working relationship with security agencies in Akwa Ibom.

Mr Eno expressed satisfaction with the choice of Mr Azare, having served previously in the state as a deputy commissioner (operations).

“For community policing, you are aware of the Ibom Community Watch. We are raising them to enhance community policing and we trust that they will continue to do the work by giving you adequate information.

“Currently, we are trying to ensure that there is at least one in every village, so that they can help particularly to monitor government facilities in those villages.

“So, we look forward to that continuous and symbiotic relationship with the leadership of the Nigeria police as we continue to serve the Akwa Ibom people,” Mr Eno said.

In a related development, there has been an outcry in Abuja over the vandalisation of manhole covers on highways. No fewer than 50 suspects have been detained by the police for prosecution.

(NAN)