Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi delivering his address
By Cynthia Eruotor
Policing is not a mean job. If you have ever been involved in civil defence in your street ( area),you will understand, not totally ,but a part of it. While we are not here to flatter the Nigerian Police Force, there is no gain saying that they are doing their best in curbing criminal and criminality in the country. Narrowing down to Delta State,the Delta State Police Command led by the Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi have really fought crimes and criminality to a large extent. With his resumption of office, he swung into action immediately and today, his efforts of work are evident in the state.
Although, there are bad eggs among the ranks and files of the police force, he doesn’t hesitate to weed such ones if caught in the act of fraudulent or any act capable of dragging the image of the police to the mud. Going by the number of cases of police’ arrest of criminal, recovery of arms and ammunition and rescue of kidnapped victims in the state by gallant police officers in various communities in the state attests to the functionality of the police force.
This accounted for why, a frontline youth leader in the state, Comrade Austine Odedede appreciated the Delta State Police Command and her sister security agencies for their good job in the state recently – their efforts in ensuring that crimes and criminality are reduced to the barest minimum.
His words:” l commend Delta State Police Command headed by Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi and her sisters security agencies in the state in ensuring that there is peace in the region. I specifically commend the Delta State Commandant of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria Delta State Chapter, Comrade Monday Ohwesiri for the roles he played in the recovery of the corpses of the fallen gallant policemen who were arm bushed by suspected herdsmen in Agadama/Ughweru bush in Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State.”
In addressing press recently, the Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi reiterated his promise for Deltans to sleep with their eyes closed by going after criminals, criminals who can not repent must find their way out of the state or if caught, face the wrath of the law.
He said:”I am assuring Nigerians in general and Deltans in particular that the policing strategies adopted in Ughelli will be replicated in other areas where we might be having similar challenges. My promise to the good people of Delta State remains the same- which is to ensure that Deltans sleep with their two eyes closed.
For any distress situation that bothers on security, kindly report at the nearest police station, or the command headquarters through the Control room numbers on 08036684974″.
The CP had cause to address press on his Command’s achievements over the time.
His words: “Ladies and gentlemen of the press, I welcome you once again to this press briefing taking place at the Delta State Command headquarters where I will be intimating you on some of the achievements recorded by the Command within the period under review. I briefed you the last time on some of the achievements recorded in Ughelli which was due to the strategic deployment done in that area. The squad, currently stationed in Ughelli through a high density operation,has so far successfully arrested six suspected kidnappers, recovered one Pump action gun, three berretta pistols, one revolver pistol, one locally made cut-to-size gun, and they have also rescued three kidnapped victim so far”
No doubt, in that briefing, the CP was able to tell the world efforts of his Command has put towards fighting criminal and criminality over the time. While time not allow us to list all achievements, it worthwhile to highlight some of them. On the 26th April, 2024, the Command was able to rescue two kidnapped victims and recovered one Ak-47 rifle and the kidnapper died in the process.
This happened,according to him, at about 0900 hours when the Command got intelligence report that some suspected kidnappers were hibernating at Okuno, Orogun Ughelli North LGA, where they were hiding alongside some of their kidnapped victims. According to him, he directed the DPO Abraka Division to lead Police operatives to their hideout.
And of course, the DPO swiftly mobilized police operatives alongside members of the Abraka Vigilantes,and hunters group, stormed the bush and engaged the suspected kidnappers in a fierce gun duel during which, one of the suspects sustained serious gunshot injuries while others escaped. One AK-47 rifle, and eleven (11) rounds of 7.62mm ammunition were recovered. The two kidnapped victims were rescued unhurt and have been reunited with their families. While the injured suspect was taken to the hospital, he gave up the ghost while receiving treatment.
The Command,on 28th April, 2024, arrested a suspect involved in infanticide. How did it happen? According to CP, a case of infanticide was reported at Oleh Division, that a suspect named Sofia Nkwor ‘f’ aged 24 years from Isoko South Local Area, dumped her child of one year and one month old in a well along the road in Araya Community Isoko South Local Government Area. According to him, it was children who went to play around the tree discovered the abandoned child floating on the well. The mother, Sofia Nkwor ‘f’ aged 24 years was immediately arrested and when she was interrogated, she said, she dumped the child on 26th April 2024. CP said, the suspect at present, police in the custody of the police and investigation is ongoing.
Within the period under review, the Command has arrested a suspect who produces fake alcohol drink such as Gordons, Chelsea, McDowells and Eagle schnapps and that happened on the 25th April, 2024. According to CP, on that fateful day, at about 1100hours, the Command received an intelligence report about a suspect who produces fake alcoholic drinks in Bomadi. He therefore directed the DPO Bomadi Division to work on the intelligence and ensure that the suspect was tracked down, arrested saying ,by this directives, the DPO led operatives to the hideout where one Chiemenam Adigwe ‘m’ aged 45yrs, a native of Akpo Community in Aguata Local Government Area, Anambra State was arrested with over hundred bottles of Gordons, Chelsea,Eagle Schnapps and McDowell’s recovered.
Arrested suspects and items recovered from them displayed here.
According to CP preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect mixes ethanol with water and adds flavor to it, then packages these fake drinks in empty bottles of Gordons, Chelsea, and McDowell’s which he usually buys from Onitsha. The suspect also said, when he supplies to his customers, he tells them he usually orders the drinks from Onitsha. CP said the suspect is in custody and investigation is ongoing.
From above, it is evident the police are at work. If one begins to list all the achievements as told the press, one would not have time for other things to do. For these and others, do we say the police need commendation?