Police Launch Anti-Corruption Campaign …Nab Suspected Kidnappers In Rivers

Determined to rid the police of corrupt tendencies in line with the Federal Government anti-corruption policy, the Rivers State police command has flagged-off the anti-corruption campaign with the launching of the Public Complaint Rapid Response Unit (PCRRU) in the state

The PCRRU is an initiative of the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Mohammed to complement the Federal Government’s anti-corruption crusade with the aim of ridding the police of all forms of corruption as well as anti- social practice.

Speaking at the brief ceremony held at the Police Officers Mess in Port Harcourt, Wednesday to mark the official launch of PCRRU, the state Commissioner of Police, Francis Mobolaji Odesanya, said the launch was in fulfilment of the Inspector General of Police’s promise when he assumed office to reposition the police force to be responsible in the discharge of its duties in line with international best practices.

Odesanya said the IG in keeping his promise, had since inaugurated the PCRRU at the Force headquarters, and directed all the Commissioners of Police to replicate same in their various state commands, adding that the PCRRU was designed to revive public confidence and perception about the force while reassuring the public that police remain their friend.

He said the unit would afford members of the public the opportunity to report any police officer involved in misconduct and corrupt tendencies contrary to their rules of engagement, adding that the police under the present police leadership must be accountable to the people at all times

According to him, the force escort unit has been restructured to carry out the enforcement of the PCRRU policy with the responsibility of receiving complaints from members of the public and discipline any erring officer found culpable in accordance with the rules and regulations governing the force.

The state police boss used the opportunity to reassure the people of the state of the police determination in ensuring a crime- free state as well as protect lives and property across the state.

The PCRRU has five platforms to which members of the public can channel their complaints, GSM 08057000001, 080 57000002, Sms line, 08057000003, whatapp, 08057000003 BBM Pin, 5842B5DE, Tiwtter@ Policeng-PCRRU, Facebook, www.facebook.com/policePCRRU, e-mail complaint@NPF.gov.ng, police pcrru @ gmail.com. wwwnpf.gov.ne/complaint.

Also PCRRU flyers have three major Nigeria languages, Hausa, Yourba, Igbo as well as English Language. The climax of the event was the distribution of the various language PCRRU flyers to various markets in the state led by Francis Odesanya in company of other police officers in the command and journalists.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Police Force say it has recorded a major breakthrough in disarming kidnappers and other criminals in Rivers and Bayelsa States in its onslaught against crime and criminality throughout the country.

The Force Public Relations Officer, DCP, Don N. Awunah, in a statement, yesterday, said the IRT, acting on credible intelligence and public support, has intercepted heavily armed notorious kidnappers terrorizing the waterways of Rivers and Bayelsa states.

According to the statement, “Acting on credible intelligence and public support, on the 29th of November, 2016, the IRT intercepted a four-man gang of heavily armed kidnappers, notorious for terrorizing the waterways and kidnapping in Rivers and Bayelsa states, along Azikiwe Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State on their way for an operation.

“A gun duel ensued, after which three of the kidnappers were fatally wounded while one James Peter ‘m’ aged 30 years from Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa State was arrested.

“The arrested member of the gang has since been cooperating with the police in their investigation by providing very valuable information on the membership of the gang and their modus operandi.

“Weapons recovered from the kidnappers include one General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), one AK47 rifle, chains of GPMG ammunition and two fully loaded AK47 magazines. Efforts are in top gear to arrest fleeing members of the gang and recover their cache of arms.

“Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris, NPM, has once again enjoined Nigerians never to hesitate to provide the police with valuable information and assures them of renewed commitment on the part of the force in the fight against crime and anti-social behaviour,” the statement added.

Akujobi Amadi