As tension mounts preparatory to the March 28 and April 11, 2015 general elections, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Dan Bature, has assured Journalists of protection amidst increasing insecurity in the State.
He gave the assurance on Monday following a peaceful protest by Journalists in the State over the spate of insecurity characterized by kidnapping, robbery and violent attacks, which had also affected journalists in the course of performing their official duties.
The State Police boss, who addressed a delegation of the journalists led by the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Opaka Dokubo, in his office, identified with the concerns raised regarding insecurity in the state.
While acknowledging and thanking the journalists for their stand, he noted that it was for the same purpose that the State Security Council had been in session “since morning”, stating that “the Police is not incapacitated, and is still able to ensure peace and security of lives and property in Rivers State.
He told the protesting journalists that he had directed that wherever there is political activity, journalists should be identified and given protection alongside other security measures that will be put in place.
While thanking the journalists for what he called “strong working relationship” with the media since assumption of duty in Rivers State, he assured that the Police would not rest on their oars as regards ensuring security of lives and property in the state.
Earlier, the Journalists had taken the protest to Government House, Port Harcourt where the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Fortune Oguru, addressed them on behalf of the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, who he said, was in a meeting with all the security chiefs in the state.
Oguru explained to the protesting journalists that the security concerns they raised were top on the agenda of issues being discussed by the State Security Council.
“I am happy that you have come to vent your anger as regards what is happening in the state, what you are seeing here (Government House) are tiers of security chiefs in the state.
“As I am talking to you now, His Excellency has asked me to come and address you. One of the things they are addressing at the security council meeting is the issue of violence in the state.
“The Government is aware that kidnapping has increased, killing and a lot of violence have also increased in this State. That is one of the reasons they are discussing this morning. I am happy that you have raised your voice. Whatever be your view this morning will be passed on to His Excellency”, he said.
While stating the concerns of Journalists in the State at the gate of the Government House, the State NUJ Chairman, Opaka Dokubo, had expressed the concern that Journalists were not protected in the course of carrying out their official duties, particularly in preparation for the 2015 general elections, which had made them victims in political violence.
“For us as journalists, we are worried about the state of insecurity, especially in Rivers State. Yes, election is all over the country, but it appears to be taking a different dimension in Rivers State, as if it is only in this State that elections are happening.
“We have come to Government because Government’s first responsibility is the protection of lives and property. The way things are going, we as people who chronicle the stories every day of these happenings, have found that gradually, Rivers State is sliding into a very serious state of insecurity, and we are not happy.
“So, for us, we want to tell Government that whatever is needful and necessary to do to stem this tide, please take charge and do it”, he said.

Segbeba Dokubo