The newly appointed Commissioner of Police for Rivers State, Olugbenga Adepoju, has made clear his determination to combat various forms of criminal activity, including cultism, armed robbery, and communal clashes.
Speaking to the press in Port Harcourt on Friday, Adepoju emphasized that his administration would not tolerate crimes such as kidnapping, oil bunkering, or any violent criminal acts in the state.
Adepoju acknowledged the complexities of maintaining law and order, especially with the recent political tensions in the state, and called for a strategic, proactive approach to address the challenges.
“The nature of recent crises, often fueled by political interests, demands that we take decisive and thoughtful action,” he said.
One of Adepoju’s key priorities will be bolstering intelligence gathering and enhancing community policing efforts.
He is committed to working closely with local communities, traditional leaders, and other security agencies to prevent crime before it happens.
“We must engage all stakeholders, from security agencies to civil society, in a unified effort to safeguard our state,” he asserted.
In his strategy for improving policing in the state, Adepoju promised to enhance response times to emergencies and distress calls while increasing police visibility in critical areas.
He also emphasized that under his watch, the police force will be held accountable for any misconduct, with a firm commitment to eradicating corruption within the ranks.
“We will foster a culture of professionalism, ensuring that officers engage with the public respectfully while holding ourselves to the highest standards of integrity,” Adepoju added.
He also pledged to intensify efforts to address cultism, youth violence, and oil theft, promising to collaborate with relevant agencies to dismantle the criminal networks involved in these illegal activities.
Adepoju concluded his remarks by calling for support from all sectors of society to work together in building a safer Rivers State.
“The success of our efforts depends on the collaboration of every individual and organization,” he said, urging all stakeholders to join forces in securing a brighter future for the state.
As Adepoju embarks on this important task, Rivers residents are hopeful that his proactive approach will bring about significant improvements in safety and security across the state.