War Against Criminality:The Odesanya’s Approach

Rivers State occupies
a strategic position in the nation’s economic development. This gesture indeed places onerous responsibilities on the security agencies suddled with creating an enabling environment for all citizens irrespective of their creed and party affiliation to go about their lawful businesses without fear of molestations in the state.
Security has been described as the pillar upon which every meaningful national/state development will be achieved and sustained. Therefore, the primary responsibility of any government is to combat all forms of crime and criminality.
This therefore, has given the Nigeria Police the enormous responsibilities of ensuring a secure environment to guarrantee economic development and well-being of the people.
Here in Rivera State, CP Francis Mobolaji Odesanya in recognition of this fact and the constitutional responsibility placed on the Nigeria Police has put in place measures aimed at creating a tolerable and crime-free environment.The state Commissioner of Police, on assumption of duty as the helsman in the state police command early August this year unveiled a marshall plan to fight crimes in the state.
The commissioner among other things promised to fight crime and disorder in the state and to ensure that criminality and insecurity are reduced to the barest minimum under his watch.
In keeping with his pledge to provide peaceful atmosphere and security for the citizens. Section 14(2) (b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended states: “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary responsibility of government”.
It is evident that the task of securing the people is bestowed on the police which is enshrined in Section 4 of the Police Act. These include the prevention and detection of crime, the apprehension of offenders, the preservation of law and order, the protection of life and property and the enforcement of all laws and regulations with which they are directly charged and shall perform such military duties within or outside Nigeria as may be required of them.
The state police command under the watch of CP Francis Mobalaji Odesanya on Friday, November 4, 2016 paraded 49 suspected criminals who allegedly committed various degrees of crimes in the state to newsmen in Port Harcourt.
The Commissioner of Police disclosed that the essence of the media briefing was to unveil the modest achievements recorded by the state police command in the on-going onslaught against criminality in the state.
He reiterated his earlier disposition and resolve to fight crime and criminality to a standstill in the state, adding that he was sure that he has kept faith with his pledge.
“In my maiden address, I charged my men to brace up to the challenges and warned criminals to repent, relocate or face the full weight of the law. The command took the war to them and the onslaught has been wonderful. We have raised the bar and we pledge to do more given the support of all and Sundry”.
According to the state Commissioner of Police, one of the significant break throughs the command has recorded within the period under review was on 27th September, 2016 when it carried out a joint operation with the IGP’s monitoring unit in the state that led to the arrest of four suspected killers of the late human rights lawyer, Barr Ken Atsuwete who was killed on the 21st August, 2016 at Omuchiolu Road, Aluu.
He gave the names of the arrested suspects as Chibuike James Okwuonu Amuzuo, Amadi Nathaniel Akokpe Ezime Aleru and Junior Aleru, adding that one Ak 47 rifle, 124 live ammunition and four AK 47 magazines were recovered from them. The police also showcased two human skulls and some parts of human beings. One of the skulls was identified by a suspect, Chika Amadi, to be that of Late Ebubedike Wabali, a former leader of Degbam cult group in Isiokpo in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state who was killed and beheaded during a cult clash in the area.
According to Mr Chidi, “we beheaded him during a cult clash in February. Our intention was not to kill him, but as he wanted to escape, my hand touched the trigger and the bullet went off.”
CP Odesanya also told the journalists that on 22nd October, 2016, the IGP’s monitoring unit in the state led by CSP Ben Igweh through credible intelligence arrested four suspects who kidnapped and killed one Ekezie, a driver to the former chairman of ONELGA, Mr Raymond Wokocha after they collected one million naira ransom.
He also said that the four arrested robbers/ kidnappers were responsible for the kidnap of 14 Nest Oil workers, kidnap of 18 passengers of ONELGA line as well as, an Accountant, one Tabolayefa Ozagu, adding that the police recovered the ransom of N840,000 paid to them.
He named the suspects arrested in that operation as Alex Oburu (general and leader of the gang), Stanley Daniel, Kelvin Ntanta and Goodluck Nwaobakata.
On the war against cultism, the State Commissioner of Police said in the period under review that the command’s anti-cultism unit arrested 20 cultists who have confessed to belonging to different cult groups in the state. They all made useful confessions and will be charged to court as soon as investigations are over,” he stated.
Summary of achievements of the command within the period under review shows that the number of suspected armed robbery suspects arrested were 30 kidnappers, 25, cultists, while victims rescued stood at 20. The command also foiled 10 armed robbery operations, killed six armed robbery suspects, among others.
The police also recovered large cache of various firearms and ammunitions which were in the hands of criminals. Number of firearms recovered include 20 assorted ammunition, 15 vehicles and four magazines.
The State Commissioner of Police, however, used the opportunity to appeal to members of the public for a sustained partnership with the police in the fight against crime in the state.
“My doors are open to all, I will gladly receive anybody who comes to share information with me. The command under my watch will continue to be professional and focused in the discharge of our constitutional mandate. We promise to do even better, especially as we approach the Yuletide season,” he added.
“The responsibility of policing and security is not to be the sole responsibility of security agencies, however, a collective effort from all is required to achieve a free society devoid of crimes where investors safety will be assured and guaranteed. Time to rise and join the police and other security agents in the state to defeat the criminals who are few is now. Your information to police can save lives”, he said.

Akujobi  Amadi