The Rivers State Government has appealed to politicians to stop the habit of aiding youth with arms as the 2015 general election draw near
The state Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi made this call during the flag-off ceremony of “Stop Kidnapping campaign” organized by the state police command at the police officers mess, Port Harcourt, over the weekend.
Governor Amaechi, who was represented at the occasion by his Deputy, Engr Tele Ikuru, said the danger inherent in such act was  disastrous, adding that such habit pays no good to any one.
The state governor said that the interest of the society should be more paramount than any politician or individual interest, and urged the people to shun those politicians whose interest was to destroy what the society has  achieved over the years because of their personal ambitions.
After the elections, the arms will be difficult to retrieve and those guns will turn back to you, he said.
He described the launch of the Stop Kidnapping campaign” in the state as very apt as it was coming at a time when the country and indeed, the state was facing the challenges of insecurity and other anti-social vices, such as kidnapping.
He recalled that the problem of kidnapping started with the introduction of the global system of mobile communication (GSM) in the country in 1999, adding that before the emergence of GSM, people hardly communicate easily.
‘The negative aspect of GSM to society is what we are experiencing today. If you kidnap somebody and you have no contact to reach the family, the business will not be juicy and interesting. You can be in Aba and talk to somebody in Port Harcourt, this is what makes it viable, he stated.
According to him, the only way to fight the menace and defeat it in the society will be through electronic devises, adding that kidnapping requires collaborative efforts of every body.
The state chief executive thanked the police and other security formations in the state for their services in ensuring peaceful cohesion in the state and the country at large, adding that he was optimistic that one day, those in the  country’s leadership would recogise their  services and take good care of them.
Amaechi used the opportunity to assure them of the state government ‘s determination to support the police and other security agencies to effectively carry out their responsibilities in the state.
Also speaking, the chairman of the occasion and Senator, representing Rivers East at the National Assembly, Senator George Sekibo, described kidnapping as a major challenge confronting the country, adding that all hands must join together to fight the menace in the state.
He stated that the safety of the society starts with every individual, adding that the society must rise up by being part of the solution.
Sekibo, who is the chairman, Senate Committee on Defence and Army, opined that the problem in winning the insurgency in the country was the people’s unwillingness to give information to security agencies.
“People are afraid  to give information. We should be  actively involved to be part of the fight against kidnapping, he said.
Earlier in his speech, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Tunde Ogunsakin stated that the kidnapping was affecting the economic fortunes of the state, adding that the command has reduced the crime rate to the barest minimum.
He opined that the launch of the campaign was borne out of the command’s commitment in fighting the crime in the state, and urged residents of the state to cooperate with the police.
in this regard through giving the police useful information.

Acting IGP, Suleiman Abba (left), addressing senior police officers in Abuja last Friday.With him are AIG Force Headquarters, Mr Dan Azumi Dona (middle) and AIG Intelligence Bureau, Mr Solomon Arase.