Task Before New Rivers CP

One of the primary requirements of
a truly democratic polity, is the
willing subjugation of security institutions to civil control and supervision. This is why state governors double as Chief Security Officers, under whose supervision, representatives of various security institutions, including the police, must operate.
This democratic expectation was, without doubt, observed in the breach, as former Police Commissioner of Rivers State, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu and the state Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi worked at cross-purposes. That lack of co-operation negatively impacted on security of lives and property in the state and polarised the political class along very dangerous lines and interests.
In fact, while government, and indeed, the National Assembly considered the trend most dangerous to public peace, order and safety, and thus called for the redeployment of the Commissioner of Police, other rival political groups sang Mbu’s praise, thus politicising an otherwise avoidable security breach.
The Tide is reluctant to sit in judgement over Mbu, since that is the duty of relevant constitutional bodies within the police high command, but it must be stated that Mbu’s failure to work with the state government, to some extent, compromised security in the state and contributed to political bickering.
It was indeed to check that trend, that the National Assembly, at various times, called for the re-deployment of the CP without immediate compliance by the police high command, which repeatedly described the commissioner as a professional and committed police officer.
But in what seemed a comprehensive shake-up, the police high command announced the redeployment of 13 senior officers, among them, Mr. Mbu, who was moved to Abuja. He has since been replaced by Mr. Johnson Tunde Ogunsakin, of the anti-fraud unit of the  Nigeria Police Force.
As The Tide welcomes the new CP, it is the hope of all well-meaning Rivers people that he would do everything to avoid the face-off between the governor  and his predecessor and ensure harmonious working relationship with the state chief security officer.
The new CP must be professional, obedient to civil order and ensure the protection of lives and property of all devoid of political affiliation. Happily, the new commissioner has since reported to the governor, on arrival in the state, with the assurance to do a professional job.
The new CP’s posting coincides with the steady birth of a political atmosphere that is likely to be tense and sometimes rancorous. He must therefore, brace-up for the likely insurgence of politically motivated militancy, thuggery and threat to public peace.
Commissioner Ogunsakin must prepare his officers and men to be on the alert for misuse  of small arms in the society. They must be firm, fair and professional in the conduct of their affairs, as that is the only means of discouraging the emergence of sacred cows among the ranks of political militants and thugs.
More importantly, we expect that the breaches that found expression when the state government and the police could not work together, would be examined and dealt with once and for all.
With such mindset and professional attitude to work, the state government and the police, we are convinced, will work in synergy for the good, security and well-being of Rivers people and all others who live and do business in the state.
Welcome to Rivers State, Police Commissioner Ogunsakin.