Over 100 companies and individuals have thrown their support for the new security scheme initiated by the state Commissioner of Police, Emeka Nwonyi.
The figures were made public on Wednesday by Chairperson of a joint stakeholders committee to drive the schedule, Kate Ezeigbo, during a public launch and press conference in Port Harcourt.
Ezeigbo said already the initiative has commenced with visits, sensitisation of all sectors and stakeholders, especially the business community.
She commended all who have shown support, while reminding them that security is the responsibility of all members of the society.
Meanwhile, the police have said that in the last two months, over 66 suspects and over 20 kidnapped victims have been freed.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Emeka Nwonyi made the disclosure in an interactive chat with media and other stakeholders during the official unveiling of the “Rivers Crime Free” Initiative.
He said barely three months after he assumed office crime has been tackled to the barest minimum.
“In the second week as I resumed as commissioner of police, we tracked a notorious kidnapper, Wodi Amadi from Egbeda to Ogoloma. His gang opened fire on the police but was overpowered together with his three-man gang of accomplices”.
Nwonyi stated that on weekly basis, the police make huge in-roads and this scheme is people driven.
The state Commissioner of Police stressed the need for partnership among all stakeholders to make the initiative work, saying “there is an urgent need to make the state not to deteriorate than this .”
He commended Governor Siminialayi Fubara for giving his support, and providing the enabling environment, especially the transport palliatives for the citizenry.
Nwonyi expressed appreciation to former Governor Nyesom Wike, who he said laid the foundation for the strong security architecture in the state.
Reacting to questions while condemning activities of corrupt police officers, Nwonyi, assured the public that the scheme would be run through a two-way communication feedback as the public can report errant officers.
The pubilc suggestion and information box, in the view of Nwonyi, is to reduce friction between the public and police, so as to create fluid operations and public relations.
So far, some flash points have been identified, especially the Diobu axis, as he urged traders, residents and citizens of the area to provide information to the police.
Youths and young secondary school students are also built into the initiative, the police commissioner further stated.
The aim of establishing the School Security Clubs, according to him, is to enlighten and educate students on the need to eschew crime.
In addition to that, young students would be given security and safety training, while as an essay competition would be organised to test their knowledge.
Speaking through his Deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, the state Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, pledged support of government to the initiative.
He said, “all of us must join to make the initiative efficient, such that other states would copy from here.”
Fubara reiterated that security was key in state building and development, as according to him, “all of us must play a role, to have a state where we can sleep with our two eyes closed.”