CROSS RIVER, CALABAR – The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has approved the appointment of ASP Sunday Eitokpah Akata as the new Police Public Relations Officer of the Cross River State Command.
The appointment was announced in a press release issued by the Cross River State Police Command and shared on its official social media platforms, later sighted by Truth live news.
ASP Akata replaces CSP Irene Ugbo, who signed the statement as outgoing spokesperson, formally handing over communication responsibilities to the newly deployed officer.
Akata, an indigene of Edo State, was commissioned into the Nigeria Police Force in 2022 after completing five years of training at the Nigeria Police Academy.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry, reflecting the increasing professional and academic standards expected of modern police communicators.
According to the police statement, Akata underwent specialized courses in counter-terrorism, forensic crime scene management, detective operations, and leadership development across multiple training institutions.
These include training at the Police Mobile Force School in Nasarawa, Shere Hills in Jos, and the Police Staff College, where he completed the Advanced Detective Course.
The command noted that Akata is also a certified Advanced Facilitator under the Nigeria Police Reform Programme, aligning his appointment with institutional reform objectives.
Before his deployment, Akata served as Divisional Traffic Officer at A Division, Calabar, and later headed the Police Complaint Response Unit in Cross River State.
The police leadership described his service record as marked by professionalism, discipline, and versatility, qualities considered essential for public-facing police communication.
Ethical policing experts argue that the role of PPRO is critical in managing public trust, transparency, and accountability, especially amid rising public scrutiny of law enforcement conduct.
The command released official contact details and verified social media handles to encourage direct engagement between the police and the public.
CSP Irene Ugbo urged journalists and residents to extend cooperation to the new spokesperson, stressing that effective communication remains vital to public safety and confidence.The appointment takes effect immediately, as the Cross River State Police Command intensifies efforts to strengthen information management and community relations.