Recently our team of correspondents carried out an intensive investigation on the increasing sale of illicit drugs in the Port Harcourt metropolis and its environs. The investigations took them round the capital city.
Our correspondent also kept their eyes on some waterfronts within Diobu axis of the Garden City, where cultism remains the order of the day.
Our team in the process stumbled on illicit drugs markets in one of the waterfronts in the Port Harcourt main township.
The Newswriter correspondents authoritatively report that some Rivers police vans were sighted at “Abuja Estate” along the popular Creek Road, Port Harcourt, off-loading bags of marijuana (Indian Hemp), cocaine and other illegal and unlawful dangerous drugs.
According to one of the residents of the area, who spoke to our reporter said some policemen in Rivers on daily basis supply bags of illicit drugs to the bad boys living in the estate.
“It has become a daily occurrence”, the resident alleged, and wondered why policemen entangled themselves in such an illegal business or trade.
Another resident of the area who simply identified himself as Chief alleged that the policemen import the illicit drugs from the neighbouring states, and supply them. He called on the newly posted Commissioner for Police, Chris O. Ezike to carry out careful investigation and identify those police officers who are involve in the illicit drugs pushing in the state, and take appropriate disciplinary measure against them.
Meanwhile, the new Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Chris Ezike has read the riot act to criminals and hoodlums in the state.
The Police Chief also warned all officers in the state to resign from the Force if they had affiliation with any registered political party.
CP Ezike in his maiden speech, attested to the fact that crime had been on the increase in Rivers State.
He particularly decried increasing rate of armed robbery, kidnapping and cultism in the state.
While he said the police will respect the rights of every citizen in the state, the Commissioner disclosed that the police will partner with other Security Agencies and Non-State actors in a professionalism and transparent manner on their responsibility.
He warned that officers and men must Justify their monthly pay by performing commensurate duties, adding that idleness, malingering, poor attitude to crime fighting would not be tolerated.
He said Police under his watch must remain neutral, professional, fair but very firm.
“As I perused the handover notes from my predecessor, it was easily noticeable that trend and pattern of serious crimes in the State have become worrisome to the citizens.
“Specifically Kidnapping and armed robbery fueled and energized by cultism have been on the increase; consequently the focus of my leadership shall be to reverse the trend and halt the drift.
“Accordingly, we shall Provide qualitative service to the people of Rivers State, Fight serious crimes of armed robbery, Kidnapping and cultism with every strength we can muster, partner with other Security Agencies and Non-State actors in a professionalism and transparent manner on this journey, respect the rights of the citizens and abhor corruption and corrupt tendencies.
“The 2015 Elections have come and gone. However the ‘aftershocks’ still remain. The Police under my watch must remain neutral, professional, fair but very firm. Any policeman who has political interest or is so committed to the ideals of any political party is advised to resign to enable him/her register as a political party member. All Officers and men are to ensure that their actions and conducts remain within the provisions of the Nigeria Constitution, Police Acts and Regulations and other extant legislations.
“Within the same framework, any Police Officer that abuses the goodwill he enjoys or wallops same on the platform of ineptitude or corruption, will have full sanctions visited on him as applicable. Conversely, those subjected to indignation, attack or unprovoked humiliation will be adequately protected and defended within the provisions of the law”.
The Commissioner of Police later held a session with all the Divisional Police Officers in the state.###
