‘Boko Haram’: No Room In Rivers -CP

The Rivers State Police Command says it has put in place necessary security measures to avert any possible Boko Haram insurgents’ attacks in the state.
The State Commissioner of Police, Tunde Johnson Ogunsakin, who announced this during a press briefing in Port Harcourt, Wednesday, said that the measures were aimed at putting residents of the state on alert and abreast with the operations of the outlawed sect.
Ogunsakin stated that some of the measures put in place include public enlightment, sensitization, education and aggressive awareness campaign in churches, mosques, supermarkets, shops, schools and other public places in the state.
The State Police boss stated that the command has began a crucial meeting with hotel operators in the state, adding that the aim of the meeting was to enable the hotel managers create a data base of people lodging in their hotels.
He urged people of the state to be mindful and report any strange persons or objects within their vicinity to the police for prompt actions as well as identify people with questionable characters.
He assured that the State Police Command was battle ready to contain Boko Haram attacks in the state, and urged the people of the state not to be scared but to go about their normal duties in the state.
Ogunsakin also used the opportunity to inform journalists that the Police in the state has inaugurated what he described as “stakeholders’ forum” as a way to push development to another level within the command.
According to him, the group will serve as a connecting rod to development in most areas that can help the command to grow, adding that they are aware of the challenges posed by the question of who constitutes “this group” and will thus address them.
“Ladies and gentlemen, our stakeholders comprises of corporate organizations and bodies who offer credible solutions to most of our challenges. We conducted necessary checks on who comes in to the group so as to guard unwanted elements who might have unhealthy motives to gain membership”, he added.
Meanwhile, a total of 704 armed robbery suspects have been arrested by members of the Rivers State Police Command in three months.
The State Commissioner of Police, Tunde Johnson-Ogunsakin stated this while giving evaluation report at his command for February, March and April 2014 during a press – briefing held at the State Criminal Investigative Department (CID), headquarters in Port Harcourt, Wednesday.
Ogunsakin further stated that out of the number, 584 suspects were charged to court, 153 convicted, 285 are awaiting trial while 76 suspects were discharged and acquitted by the courts.
He further explained that 1,115 ammunition and firearms were also recovered in divisions and units, while 35 victims of kidnap were rescued within the period under review.
According to him, judging from the analysis, it is obvious that the Police have recorded success in the reduction of crime rate occasioned by the increase in apprehension of criminals.
Ogunsakin posited that in the area of kidnapping overseen by the Anti-kidnapping unit there has been 49 per cent reduction in the past three months with 21 cases recorded in January alone.
He averred that armed robbery cases in the state have been tackled by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad which has received a commendable rise in the arrest of robbers, adding that a rise in apprehension of robbers have measured to 250 per cent recorded with 27 armed robbers apprehended from February 2014 as against only 2 arrests made in January.
He opined that the Joint Task Force (JTF) Patrol Team, has been revitalized due to the challenges of sophisticated crimes, especially in the area of kidnapping, adding that the team since its resuscitation has performed effectively in fighting crime in the state.
The Commissioner of Police told the journalists that a new Police Division has been created for Egi, adding that the development was to strategically bring policing to the door stops of the people of Egi.
He stated that the command has commenced the assessment tour of the divisions under it with Ahoada division taking the lead, adding that strategies have been mapped out to confront those challenges with the aim to boost the morale of the officers in the discharge of their duties.
Ogunsakin said that the attention and commendation the command has received since his assumption in office in February was overwhelming, adding that its mandatory duty of protecting lives and property has been effectively discharged.
He added that the assessment of functions and duties was necessary to let the Command tighten some loose ends and be in the front seat of protecting lives and property as enshrined in the constitution of the country.

Executive members of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Rivers State chapter, leading the union’s protest against the abduction of over 200 secondary school girls in Chibok, Borno State, in Port Harcourt, yesterday