Public confidence in government depends not only on policies and programmes but also on the words of those entrusted with public office.
Every statement made by a government official carries weight and authority. For that reason, allegations reportedly made by Dr. Anthony Luke linking dispatch riders in Akwa Ibom State with drug trafficking and gun running deserve careful scrutiny and a prompt public clarification.
The National Union of Dispatch Riders and Mail Operators of Nigeria (NUDRMON), Akwa Ibom State Chapter, has protested what it described as the official’s remarks, arguing that they unfairly criminalise an entire profession.
If the reported statement accurately reflects what was said, it raises legitimate concerns about the dangers of making sweeping assertions against thousands of law-abiding citizens who earn their living through dispatch services.
Dispatch riders have become an indispensable part of modern commerce.
They deliver food, medicines, business documents, parcels and countless other essential items across the state. In a period of economic hardship and rising unemployment, many young people have embraced the profession as a legitimate means of livelihood. It is therefore unfair and potentially damaging to cast suspicion on the entire profession without clear and verifiable evidence.
This newspaper recognises that criminal elements can infiltrate virtually any occupation. The fact that an individual may misuse a profession for unlawful purposes does not justify branding every member of that profession as a criminal suspect. Teachers, bankers, lawyers, civil servants, transport operators and even security personnel have, at different times, had individuals among them accused or convicted of crimes. Yet society does not condemn every practitioner because of the misconduct of a few.
If there is credible intelligence indicating that some dispatch riders are involved in criminal activities such as drug trafficking or illegal arms movement, such information should be handled through established security and law enforcement processes.
Investigations should be evidence-driven, arrests should follow due process, and prosecutions should be conducted in accordance with the law. Public accusations unsupported by facts neither strengthen security nor inspire confidence in government.
The state government also has a responsibility to clarify the circumstances surrounding the reported statement. The public deserves to know precisely what was said, the context in which it was made and whether it reflected official government policy or a personal opinion. Transparency is essential to prevent unnecessary tension and to preserve public trust.
Should it be established that the reported remarks were inaccurate, exaggerated or unsupported by evidence, an appropriate public clarification would be in the interest of all parties. Such a step would reassure legitimate dispatch operators that they remain valued contributors to the state’s economy while reinforcing the principle that public officials must exercise restraint and responsibility in their public communications.
Equally, if security agencies possess verifiable evidence implicating specific individuals engaged in criminal conduct under the guise of dispatch operations, those individuals should be identified, investigated and prosecuted without hesitation. Criminal responsibility is personal; it cannot and should not be extended to an entire profession.
Akwa Ibom has worked hard to project itself as a peaceful, investment-friendly and business-oriented state. That reputation must be protected through responsible leadership, measured communication and unwavering respect for the rule of law. Public discourse should unite citizens, encourage enterprise and strengthen confidence in government institutions—not create unnecessary suspicion against hardworking men and women striving to earn an honest living.
The Evangelist believes that accountability applies equally to citizens and public officials. Those entrusted with public office must ensure that every public statement is factual, measured and supported by evidence.
In a democratic society governed by the rule of law, reputations should never become casualties of unsubstantiated generalisations.
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