By Cynthia Eruotor
The Delta State Police Commissioner, CP Wale Abass psc, said his command has since keyed into the vision and mission of Acting Inspector General of Police, Ag. IGP Olukayode Egbetokun Ph.D, NPM, to stamp out crimes and criminally in the state.
Delta State Police boss stated this in a press briefing in Asaba the state capital recently. According to him, part of his major tasks was a shake up in the Command which saw the deployment of the then DPO in Ovwain Aladja to Ekpan due to the volatile nature of the place saying that since this operation, the residents now sleep with their eyes closed contrary to how it used to be.
He said, from 1st of July 2023 to date, the Command has arrested 13 kidnappers, 7 armed robbers, 72 cultists, recovered 54 firearms, 9 kidnapped victims rescued, recovered 286 ammunition and 195 cartridges recovered.
His words:”The Command under my watch has since keyed into the vision and mission of the IGP. Part of my first major shake-up in the Command was the redeployment of the then DPO Ovwain Aladja to Ekpan owing to the volatile nature of that area. You will agree with me that Ekpan which used to be a troubled area is now very safe and residents can now go about their lawful businesses”.
According to him, in the month of September 2023, he directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police Operations to embark on-the-spot assessment of the Jesse Road where kidnapping was gradually becoming the order of the day adding, consequently, security strategies were reviewed which culminated in the deployment of DOPS Buffalo team, tactical teams and the Command’s Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber-Crime Squad to the area. He said, the strategy paid off as within few days of its emplacement, some suspected kidnappers were arrested while a good number of assault rifles were recovered.
While commending the state government and sister security agencies for their unwavering support and collaboration with the Command , he also commended the residents who have continued to support the Command by providing them with useful, timely and credible information which have helped them a great deal .
The Police boss used the medium to warn youths to desist from jungle justice saying, apart from the fact that, that act is barbaric and constitutes lawlessness, it is an act of sabotaging the prospect of fundamental human rights of the victims. He said the Command will no longer tolerate this human right abuse, as anyone who engages in such practice fished out and dealt with in accordance with the law.
His words:” In several instances, victims of self-help are attacked based on frivolous allegations without being allowed access to fair hearing. The Command will no longer tolerate this human right abuse, anyone who engages in such practice will be identified, fished out and dealt with in accordance with the law”.