Some residents of Rumuokoro and Rumuodomaya axis of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State have commended the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Special Area, CSP Emmanuel Udekwe, over his performance since assuming office recently.
Speaking to newsmen on the security situation in the area, the residents said the newly posted CSP Udekwe has given criminal elements a run for their money.
They said crime has reduced drastically since the new DPO assumed office.
“We are the ones who feel the pains of the activities of criminals in this area and we can state categorically that there is an improvement.
“As you can see, business activities have improved tremendously. The high level of theft and other social vices has reduced.
“The enormous efforts being made by the new DPO are yielding fruits. It has been a long time we had it so good. Everybody is very happy with the current development, particularly in the area of security.
“If other officers can do their work seriously just like what is seen within Rumuokoro and Rumuodomaya, everywhere would be calm. These criminals have been having a free ride and a field day because the police have not taken them seriously.
“Now that we have someone who is serious and committed to his job, we have seen results.The issue of snatching of bags, phones, breaking of shops, car theft, kidnapping and many other criminal activities have reduced.
“These boys are being checkmated and given serious chase. The environment is no longer conducive for them and we can heave a sigh of relief .
“The problem we have in Nigeria is leadership, and this is what the new DPO is proving. When you have a leader,who knows what to do, things will get better, just as it is witnessed in the area.
“We commend the police authorities in Rivers State for giving us someone who knows what he is doing. Everything is not about money. Do the work first accordingly and right, other things will follow”, they said.
They prayed for “the tempo to be sustained, so that crime will be a thing of the past in this area that is highly over populated.
“We pray that the new DPO will not deviate in discharging his duties right and professionally because we believe that good name is still better than silver and gold”.
According to them, they had seen a lot in the hands of hoodlums, but that they are happy that the situation is changing.
Meanwhile, the Divisional Police Officer of Elelenwo Police Station, SP A Momu, was among the newly promoted officers recently by the police authorities in the country.
Momu has now been promoted to the rank of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP). The DPO has since been decorated by the Rivers State Commissioner of Police.
In his reaction, the newly promoted CSP Momu thanked the authorities for recognising hard work, saying the promotion was an encouragement for him to work harder.
While assuring that he would do his best to ensure that residents of Elelenwo sleep well and do their businesses with ease, Momu commended officers under his watch for being supportive.