Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye, has urged officers of the command to consider their promotions and postings as an act of God.

Mr Adeoye said this while decorating newly-promoted officers in Awka on Tuesday.

The commissioner, who congratulated the officers for their career progression, said promotions and postings remained the two most significant events in the service.

He thanked God that officers under him had enjoyed promotions since he assumed office as commissioner of police in Anambra and charged them to see whatever posting they got as a vote of confidence in their capacity.

Mr Adeoye said it gave him great joy that the officers who served gallantly, meritoriously, and courageously were recognised by the force and the nation by way of promotion to higher ranks.

“Postings and promotions are what make the life of a policeman interesting, when you get posted to a known or unknown territory, you meet new people, new challenges, become better and more knowledgeable. Often we have no choice in where we get posted to but I must say that in my career of about 35 years, I have never lobbied for posting, I know the country has changed a lot, things are not the way they were and I am not imposing my way on you,” he said.

Among those promoted were my immediate deputy in charge of administration, who now becomes CP in Taraba State; an ACP now DCP, we have three CSPs who have been promoted to ACP and we have superintendents who are now CPS, and hundreds of officers who were moved to the next rank,” he said.

Mr Adeoye, who prayed for the sustenance of peace prevailing in Anambra, said it was achieved with huge commitment and sacrifice.

He said security and safety of the people must be guaranteed at all times even if they had to lay down their lives as they would not shy away from battle.

“I was posted to Maiduguri where I spent two and half years as head of JTF, when militancy was raging in Niger Delta, I was posted there by the authorities without consultation, when IPOB started attacking our stations I was posted as DCP coordinator of Police Mobile Force in the five South-East states.

“When Dr Cyril Akunyili was murdered, I was posted to Anambra as DCP, within the period, the election everybody thought would not hold was held, that was the election that produced Governor Chukwuma Soludo.

“Those who took part in that election know the type of war fought, we did election in every part of the state but not in ihiala, because of unknown gunmen. Today, Anambra is peaceful because all of you fought and as a force, police have vowed that never again will Anambra be subjected to that kind of mindless bloodletting

“We pray that the serenity we are currently enjoying will continue and that those areas witnessing pockets of violence will get peace so that people can visit their homes and lead normal lives there,” he said. (NAN)