Niger Delta

Police Adopt Technology In Crime, Extortion Among Personnel

Published

2 years ago

February 2, 2024

The Police Command in Bayelsa State on Wednesday said it had deployed technology to combat crime and check extortion amongst its personnel.
The police said the strategy is aimed at sustaining the peace and security in Yenagoa, the State capital, and its environs.
Spokesman of the Command, ASP Musa Mohammed, made this known during an interactive session with newsmen at the Earnest Ikoli Press Centre in Yenagoa.
Mohammed said the police had deployed the drone technology to monitor crime and check some excesses of police personnel during operations.
He explained that since the introduction of the drone technology, a series of arrests have been made including the arrest of two policemen over alleged extortion.
He said the apprehended policemen are already facing internal disciplinary procedures and warned the public against offering bribes to the police.
After listening to complaints on the activities of a tactical squad notorious for alleged extortion and suggestions from media practitioners on how to tackle the issue, Mohammed explained that under the watch of the state Commissioner of Police, Francis Idu, the Police Command will not condone extortion and other irregularities by its personnel.
He noted that the State Commissioner of Police, who had served in Bayelsa and has a good knowledge of the terrain, has brought new strategies to combat crime head on before they are even committed.
“Police molestation and extortion will not be condoned. We have drones which help us do our work effectively, which is part of strategies in combating crime head on.
“There is no room for any crime, because our eyes are on the skies. We will continue to ensure our policing stability.
“I want to assure you that we will work together to build a better Bayelsa State.
“Let us come up with new ideas and patterns. I am open to learning, and contributions. The state is growing fast, we will continue to be the most peaceful state in the country”, Mohammed said.
The Police Spokesman noted that the successes recorded under Idu were due largely to the cooperation of the people, inter-agency support and the support of the state government.
He also commended the media for playing a vital role in the balanced and fair reportage of incidents in the state.
“While I am appreciating the media for the level of support given to the State Police Command, I solicit for continued support to the command and my office as the newly deployed PPRO”, he said.
Earlier in his remarks, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr Samuel Numonengi, commended the top echelon of the Police in Bayelsa for the appointment of Mohammed.
He applauded the sustained partnership of the Police with media practitioners in the state to curb crime and criminality.
Numonengi described the media and the Police as partners in the investigative duty of ensuring peace in the state and solicited more support to sustain the zero level of crime in the state.
He appreciated the PPRO for coming to fraternise with the council, adding that his relationship with the media will also determine the success of the Command.
The State NUJ boss reiterated that his predecessor, SP Asinim Butswat, succeeded because of his cordial relationship with the media in the state.

Niger Delta

NPC Unveils Digital Registration System In Delta

Published

2 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

The National Population Commission (NPC), on Friday, launched the Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics System (eCRVS) in Delta State, designed to strengthen data generation and vital statistics management.

The Tide’s source reports that the system was launched by the Delta Federal Commissioner, Mrs. Blessyn Brume-Ataguba, at a news briefing in Asaba.

Brume-Ataguba recalled that President Bola Tinubu formally launched the eCRVS in November 2023 as part of the efforts to modernise Nigeria’s civil registration process.

She said the initiative followed resolutions reached at the Sixth Session of the Conference of African Ministers Responsible for Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Addis Ababa in 2022.

According to her, African ministers urged member states to automate civil registration processes and implement the UN Legal Identity Agenda.

“Nigeria responded by developing an electronic, technology-driven system to enhance data generation and improve civil statistics nationwide,” Brume-Ataguba said.

She said NPC, in collaboration with UNICEF, produced an eCRVS Operational Readiness Assessment Report to guide implementation.

She explained that the partnership aims to establish a fully digital civil registration system that converts records of vital events into reliable statistics for effective planning and decision-making.

Brume-Ataguba described the initiative as a complete shift from paper-based documentation to a modern digital platform aligned with international best practices.

She said the system would transform the way births and deaths were recorded, tracked and analysed across the country.

“This process marks a complete departure from the traditional paper-based recording of vital events to a state-of-the-art digital solution that conforms to international best practices.

“This eCRVS promises to revolutionise how vital events are recorded, tracked and analysed in the country.

“This will ensure commitments, and a sustained national, international financial and political investment for birth registration within the CVRS in Nigeria, ” Brume-Ataguba said.

She also said the launch demonstrated the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening civil registration data capture and processing.

She further said improved vital statistics would support national development planning and help Nigeria achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Brume-Ataguba continued that the state-level launch was necessary to sensitise the media and the public on the significance of the digital registration system.

She described the media as a vital partner in informing and educating citizens about the importance of registering vital events electronically.

She further assured residents that competent ICT personnel were available at the state level to address technical challenges and provide support.

The NPC commissioner emphasised that the eCRVS would overhaul the registration of births and deaths in the country and lay a solid foundation for efficient civil statistics management.

She urged stakeholders to collaborate with the commission to realise its goal of providing accurate and timely vital registration data.

She announced that the current phase of the e-CRVS programme would be concluded in March.

In her remark, the NPC State Director, Mrs. Jane Odigwe, appealed to the Delta Government to support the implementation of the system in the state.

“Your partnership is vital in helping us to reach this goal,” Odigwe said.

She also urged parents to register their children, saying that a birth certificate is essential for access to education, healthcare and other opportunities.

She said that registering children today would secure their identity and future participation in Nigeria’s development.

“To every parent in Delta, I urge you to bring your children forward for birth registration.

“A birth certificate is not just a document but your child’s key to education, healthcare and global opportunities.

“By registering your child today, you are giving them a voice in Nigeria of tomorrow,” Odigwe said.

Niger Delta

Police Uncover Suspects’ Armoury … Recover Weapons In Delta

Published

2 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

The Police Command in Delta State has recovered assorted weapons from a criminal hideout in the state.

Spokesman for the Command, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this to newsmen, who on Friday in Warri, said the weapons were recovered on Thursday by the operatives of the Command’s Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT), led by ASP Julius Robinson.

He said the feat was achieved following a confession by a suspect handed over to the police team by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Orerokpe Division, for further interrogation.

Edafe said the suspect was alleged to be a member of a criminal syndicate terrorising commuters and residents on the Warri/Sapele Road.

“On February 19, acting on information obtained during interrogation, the suspect led the operatives to a concealed armoury located on the Sapele/Warri Road by the Adheje Community axis.

“A thorough search of the hideout resulted in the recovery of a locally made long gun, a locally made cut-to-size gun.

“Also recovered were a fabricated Beretta pistol loaded with five rounds of live ammunition, 10 live cartridges and a dagger,” he said.

Edafe stated that the investigation into the matter was ongoing.

He, however, quoted the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Command, Mr. Aina Adesola, to have reiterated the command’s resolve in dismantling criminal networks, and mopping up illegal firearms, among others, in the state.

Niger Delta

Police Caution On Lawless Protests On Court Matters In A’Ibom

Published

2 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom State has cautioned on threats of lawless protests by some members of the public over matters that are already before the courts.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, told newsmen in Uyo on Friday that illegal protests could undermine public peace and order.

“When matters are already in court, let’s follow legal and civil means to seek redress. That is how a civilised society works.

“Although we recognise the constitutional rights of citizens to lawful expression and peaceful assembly, illegal protests are not allowed,” he said.

Azare said the Command would not tolerate threats or acts of nude protests, unlawful occupation of public or private facilities, and disruption of government, economic or social activities.

He said anyone found culpable of engaging in acts or threats of illegal protests would be prosecuted in line with the law.

“As a Command, we are committed to the maintenance of law and order, we are also committed to protecting lives and property”, he stated.