Rivers
Rivers CP Harps On Role Of PCRC In Community Policing …As Command Holds Workshop On National Security
As part of efforts to equip its members on the new modem of policing, the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Rivers State Command, has held a one-day National Security Capacity Building workshop in the State.
The event which has as its theme ‘The Strategic Role Of The PCRC In An Evolving Policing System In Nigeria’, attracted participants from all the PCRC command in the State.
Speaking at the event, the State Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, said that members of PCRC are essential in community policing and intelligent gathering, adding that their importance in crime fighting in the society can not be over-emphasized.
Disu said that the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had instructed Commissioners of Police across the states to ensure that they cooperate with members of PCRC in their various commands.
He noted that PCRC in Rivers State was exceptional, adding that the Police personnel work under undue stress.
The Police boss who delivered a lecture on the strategy and the role of PCRC, stated that when the IGP assumed office last year, he outlined the direction of the Nigeria Police in crime fighting.
He said that the IGP emphasized on community policing where the PCRC stands out, adding that in recent years, there have been various changes in the PCRC operations and responsibilities.
“The PCRC is a crucial bridge between the Police and the public. PCRC helps in improving Police accountability and transparency. It provides platform where citizens can complain.
“PCRC enhances intelligence gathering and information sharing between the Police and the public.They support crime prevention and community safety, facilitate conflict resolution between the Police and the community.
“It is clear that PCRC will continue to be essential component of evolving policing in Nigeria”, he stated.
In his address, the National Chairman of PCRC, Alhaji Ibrahim Olaniyan commended CP Disu for his zero tolerance for crime and criminality in the State which, according to him, has made the State peaceful.
He also commended the executives of PCRC in the State for the workshop, as well as the DPOs, Area Commanders and police personnel working in the State for their efforts, adding that doing police work in the State is like working in war zone.
“It is not easy. We thank IGP Egbetokun for posting an award winning CP to Rivers State. Criminals are now relocating from Rivers because with the CP, you cannot stay in the State.
Earlier, the Chairman of PCRC in Rivers State, Voke Emore, noted that the training workshop was essential to PCRC members so as to acquaint them with modern strategies of intelligence gathering and information sharing to the Police on activities of criminals.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of cheque of N250,000 to Mrs Peace Sunday, a widow of Inspector Sunday Baba killed by unknown persons.
Akujobi Amadi
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The Rivers State Multi-Stakeholder Action Committee on the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), a non-profit organization dedicated to combating gender-based violence in the State, recently paid a courtesy visit to the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, to seek his support and partnership for a planned sensitization programme for Police GBV Desk Officers.
The delegation was led by the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Lauretta Davies Dimpka, alongside the Committee’s Coordinator, Barr. Evelyn Membere Asimiea.
Speaking during the meeting, the Coordinator explained that the committee comprises various stakeholders, including FIDA, the media, security agencies, and traditional and religious institutions.
She noted that the initiative is funded by ActionAid Nigeria with support from the Ford Foundation, with the goal of strengthening efforts to eliminate gender-based violence in Rivers State.
“We have carried out several engagements, including community advocacy programmes and the training of female cultural influencers, among other activities,” she said.
In his response, the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, pledged his full support for the initiative and assured the committee of the Police Command’s readiness to collaborate in strengthening GBV response mechanisms across the state.
Members of the delegation also included heads of sub-committees within the group: Barr. Ere Boma (Advocacy); Dr. Mary Obisike (Response); Martha Igbiks ( Information and Awareness); and Brown Musa Afonyagha (Religious/Traditional).
Observers described the engagement as a significant step toward enhancing coordination and improving the response to gender-based violence in Rivers State.
Youths from Igwuruta Community in Rivers State have condemned the killing of the Secretary of Omuolu-Omunwei Community in Igwuruta, Mr. Nchelem Samuel Festus, describing the incident as tragic and unacceptable.
In a communiqué issued on February 12, 2026, the youth body said Mr. Festus was allegedly murdered on Tuesday February 10, 2026, by commercial motorcycle operators identified as “Aboki bike riders” within the community.
The group expressed sadness and outrage over the development, stating that the killing has heightened tension in the area and disrupted the peace for which Igwuruta has long been known.
According to the communiqué, the incident is part of what the community described as a growing wave of criminal activities, including rape, kidnapping and other violent crimes allegedly perpetrated by the same group.
The youth body said Igwuruta has historically maintained a reputation as a peaceful and hospitable community where residents and visitors carry out their daily activities without fear.
It, however, noted that recent events and what it termed as “escalating violence” have created fear among residents and necessitated urgent intervention.
The communiqué called for the immediate suspension of all motorcycle operations by the group within Igwuruta.
It also demanded the closure of scrap-dump sites in the community allegedly operated by the said individuals.
Furthermore, the youth body urged security agencies to ensure the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the killing of Mr. Festus and perpetrators of other alleged crimes in the area.
It also called on cattle herders to vacate farmlands in Igwuruta and urged herdsmen to stay away from bushes within the community with immediate effect.
While pledging to uphold the rule of law and refrain from self-help, the youth body gave security agencies a 48-hour ultimatum to act on some of its demands, particularly the suspension of motorcycle operations and closure of scrap sites.
The communiqué appealed to security agencies, local government authorities and other stakeholders to treat the matter with urgency and collaborate with the community to restore peace and ensure justice.
As at the time of filing this report, the Police has not issued any official statement about the incident.
By: King Onunwor
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to expand access to reliable and sustainable electricity across the Niger Delta region.
The agreement, signed at the headquarters of the REA in Abuja, is intended to strengthen institutional collaboration in accelerating development in underserved communities in the region.
A statement by the Director, Corporate Affairs of the NDDC, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, said the pact underscores renewed efforts by the two federal interventionist agencies to deepen cooperation and fast-track infrastructure delivery.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, described the MoU as a strategic step towards realising the Commission’s vision to “light up the Niger Delta” in line with national priorities on distributed energy expansion.
Ogbuku said “the agreement represents a shared institutional responsibility to deliver reliable energy solutions that will enhance livelihoods, stimulate local economies and create broader opportunities across the nine Niger Delta states.”
According to him, electricity remains a critical enabler of national development, support for job creation, healthcare delivery, education and inclusive economic growth.
He noted that the collaboration would help unlock the economic potential of rural communities while advancing broader national development objectives.
The NDDC boss added that the Commission has consistently adopted partnership-driven approaches in executing projects in the region and is prepared to support the implementation of the MoU by leveraging its community presence and infrastructure development capacity.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to working closely with the REA to ensure the timely and effective execution of the agreement.
The NDDC delegation at the event included the Executive Director, Projects, Dr Victor Antai; Executive Director, Corporate Services, Otunba Ifedayo Abegunde; Director, Legal Services, Mr. Victor Arenyeka; Director, Finance and Supply, Mrs. Kunemofa Asu; and Director, Liaison Office, Abuja, Mrs. Mary Nwaeke.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of the REA, Dr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu, described the MoU as a natural collaboration between two agencies with complementary mandates, reflecting a shared commitment to expanding access to sustainable electricity in rural communities.
“The Niger Delta remains central to Nigeria’s economic fortunes and must be supported by infrastructure capable of driving productivity, enterprise and improved living standards”, Aliyu said.
He adding that the partnership signals readiness to deliver stable power to communities that have long awaited reliable electricity supply.
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