Cross River Police Instructs Alcoholic Shops To Close By 10pm Daily.

In its efforts to curb incessant crimes in Cross River State, the State Command of the Nigeria Police has ordered the business men and women who deal on alcohol to close shop by 10pm.


Ogoja Command of the Force has started clamping down on traders who operated late in the night.

Interestingly, this had led to the closure of several businesses in Ogoja and arrest of over 150 people.

A letter referenced “CB:2002/CRS/Z/Vol.1/323” and titled ‘Operation Of Beer Parlour/Joint, Enforcement of Liquor Act’ signed by the Divisional Police Officer, SP Olatise Stephen and addressed to all operators of the beer parlours and other related shops, said “You are to ensure that, you have an approved license from Government Agency”.

“Failure to have the approved license, your business premises will be closed down. The directives of the State Government to the Police for the enforcement approved time of operations of Beer Parlour/Joints from 2pm to 10pm.”

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ms Irene Ugbo confirmed the order.

She said that the effort was to curb incessant armed robbery, kidnapping and other crimes in the state.

She described it as an innovation of the Commissioner of Police which has yielded a lot to reduce crime rate in the state.

Irene told our correspondent on phone on Saturday “This is innovation of the Commissioner of Police, and it has paved way in reducing incessant crimes in the state.

“This will also enable our patrol team to move round and do our work without hindrance because any body arrested at that time will not have reason for staying late outside”.