Delta Vows To Flush Out Criminals In Kokori

The Secretary to the
Delta State Government (SSG), Mr Ovousorie Macaulay, has reiterated the commitment of the government to stamp out criminals from Kokori in Ethiope East local government area.
He stated this in Asaba while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the meeting of the State Security Council headed by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.
Macaulay said that it was unfortunate that some members of Kokori community misconstrue the good intentions of the government for the people of the community.
He recalled that the government drafted the joint military and police officials to keep vigilance in the community after the arrest of one Kelvin, a notorious criminal from the community.
He said that investigation revealed that the community was a hideout for criminals and kidnappers.
He said that the presence of security men in the community was to protect innocent people from being harmed.
The SSG expressed concern that some people in the community were taking advantage of their relationship with some media houses in the country to distort the reason for drafting security men to the community.
“The truth remains that security men are there to do their work and arrest the gang that has constituted their own army in the community,” he said.
Macaulay warned those accusing the government of using security men to harass innocent residents of Kokori to desist from peddling falsehood.
He said that no responsible government would fold its arms and watch few individuals take laws into their hands.
“No innocent person in Kokori is being harassed by security agents; instead it is the criminals that are harassing those who are not giving them support.
“The security men are there to protect the lives of innocent people,” the SSG said.
The General Commander, Army Base Warri, Pat Akem said that security personnel were drafted to Kokori to prevent the town from becoming a den of criminals.
“We are doing everything possible to protect innocent people of the community, they should reciprocate the gesture,’’ he said.
Also speaking, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Ikechukwu Aduba, said that Kokori harbours criminals who are ready to fight security agents.
He urged the elders and people of Kokori to be law-abiding and support the government in its efforts to rid the community of criminals.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State signing a condolence register for the former South African President, Dr Nelson Mandela, at the Mandela Garden, Asaba International Airport last Friday.