By Ejiro Nesisa
Warri Area Command, Nigeria Police Force, in Warri South Local Government Area of the state has sought partnership with Nigeria Union of Journalists, Warri Correspondents’ Chapel to fight crime in Warri and its environs. In a chat with Journalists in Warri at Press Centre on Friday, the Warri Area Commander, ACP Graham Imade, PhD, Psc, said he has come to seek collaboration with the Journalists in his area of justification to enable them fight crime in Warri and its environs.
According to him, going by the numbers of Journalists in the chapel, they are at every nook and cranny and so, have access to information which could help them(Police) to nib crime in the bud. His words:” l am here to seek your collaboration and synergy. l know, you, being the Fourth Estate of the realm and critical stakeholders, you are so important to us in fighting crime in the area. ..Your spread is large: you are in every nook and cranny”.
ACP Imade who said since he assumed duty as Area Commander on the 28th June, 2024, he has been up and doing as regards the just concluded local government elections, the #Endbadgovernance protest that started on 1st August to 10th August, 2024,among others, saying, he has been busy to ensure that crime is reduced to the barest minimum in the area, which he said, was the reason for his delay in his visit to the members of the union.
According to him, he operates an open door policy as Journalists can reach him with useful information that would help them to fight crime in the society. His words:” l maintain open door policy in the cause of my operation. I am open for 24 hours, you can reach me at any time when there is important information”.
The Area Commander who was flanked by his entourage in the visit said, he would not condone indiscipline in his administration. He said, the day was just meant for courtesy visit adding that, subsequently, he would regularly, have an interface with the members of the union to enable him combat crime in his area of jurisdiction. While he expressed joy for visit, he said, he would be happy if the union could work with him to achieve his mandate in the area. His words:” It is my pleasure to meet you people. I am here as Area Commander, Warri and coincidentally, this is my first courtesy visit since I have been in Warri as Area Commander..”
Responding on behalf of the members of Union, the Chairman, Okis Okpomor, thanked the Area Commander, ACP, Graham Imade PhD Psc, for the visit adding that, the members of the union are ready to co-operate with him and his men to fight crime in Warri and its environs. According to the Chairman, the union has always co-operated with and be in synergy with all Area Commanders from the time immemorial, so, his would not be an exception.
His words:”The points you have raised are germane, we will always co-operate with you. That you have made this move, we can’t deny you our synergy. From time immemorial, we have been synergizing with all the Area Commanders and by extension, the Commissioners of Police that come to Delta State. My people here are vibrant, we will give you information, we will interface, we will always respond…”The highlight of the Area Commander’s visit was questions and answers sessions on how crime can be a thing of the past in Warri and its environs.