The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Indabawa said Divisional Police Officers DPO’s who refused to corporate with the members of Police Public Relation Committee in the state would be sacked. The commissioner dropped the bomb shell at the press briefing at the Police Officers Mess, Old GRA Port Harcourt, on April 11, 2012. Police Commissioner Indabawa stated that within one month in office, the command has recorded the tremendous achievements and called for public cooperation. He lauded the heartwarming relationship between the police and the press, stating that it was important that such relationship continue to bring about understanding, which has encouraged the Police to do more.
The CP stated that the Inspector-General of Police in several fora has expressed zero tolerance for corruption within the force. “I want to reiterate my unwavering and unflinching commitment to doggedly fight corruption and corrupt tendencies amongst the officers and men of Rivers State Police Command,” he stated, adding that his predecessor showed a shining example in his fight against corruption, of which he will emulate.
He said the command would meticulously intensify the implementation of principles of community policing. “This will be done through partnership with the press, the people of Rivers State and relevant NGOs. Consequently, the policy thrust of my administration will be service delivery. Satisfying the security yearnings of the people of Rivers State will be the focal point of this administration,” he stated.
On the reduction of crime in the state, the CP stated that he will assiduously, relentlessly and unreservedly pursue with vigour the reduction of crimes and criminality in the state. “The essence of this is to create an enabling atmosphere of peace and harmony, where people will be opportune to pursue their individual and corporate needs without fear of intimidation.” The police commissioner mentioned that the Rivers State Police Command will continuously strive to plan and formulate implementable strategies that will effectively combat crime in the state.
CP Indabawa assured the people of the state that there will be robust deployment of vehicular and foot patrols which will ensure preponderance presence of police on the road. He mentioned that the command will do whatever that is possible to adequately safeguard life and properties of people in the state. On his visit to the Governor of Rivers State Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, the Commissioner of Police said the Governor promised operational logistics and to assist the command. He thanked the Governor for the tremendous support to police and other security agencies.
A summary of the achievements of the command for the months of March 2012 and part of April, 2012 showed that 611 armed robbery suspects were arrested, 15 armed robbers fatally wounded, 25 kidnap suspects were arrested, two kidnap suspects fatally wounded, 58 various types of firearms were recovered; 151 rounds of ammunition were recovered. Also 20 suspected cultists were arrested and a total of four raids of criminal hideouts were carried out with 44 suspects arrested. The command foiled numerous cases of armed robbery and kidnapping. A total of 15 vehicles and motorcycles were equally recovered by the command in the period under review, and investigation is on, on the death of Peace Matthias killed by his boyfriend Jim Zacheus at Elechi Beach in Port Harcourt. ###
Pius Dukor
