The new Commissioner of Police in Rivers State has said he will declare total war against violent crimes in the state adding he will fight monsters of crime existing in the state.
CP Mustapha Dandaura stated this in his maiden press briefing with newsmen in Port-Harcourt which held at Police Officers’ Mess, Old GRA on Friday, July 12.
The new commissioner of police said: “Let me state clearly that I am here in the state to fight crime to a standstill, in line with the IGP’s directive of cascading the Operation Puff Adder in all the Commands across the country. Though the Operation has not been fully operational in the state but suffice it to say that I have the mandate to be in the state to fight the monsters of cultism, kidnapping, armed robbery, murder and pipeline vandalism bedeviling the state.
“I shall tackle these crimes headlong and bring them to a tolerable level. Rivers State will no longer be conducive for criminals. Therefore, they have the option of relocating, repenting or face the full wrath of the law. I promise to declare a total war against violent crimes in the state. My arrival will see the decimation of the criminals on the East/West road and that of Elele/Owerri Road”.
He said Rivers State is “strategic” to the country’s economic well-being requiring that “so much needs to be put in” to fight and minimize security challenges that will come up in the state.
The new commissioner of police said his administration will be based on intelligence-led policing, constructive engagement and community partnership, recovery of illegal arms, zero tolerance for corruption and respect for sanctity of human lives and credible leadership saying he will engage communities in the state and bring policing to the people.
CP Dandaura said he will put measures in place to prevent crime saying police will carry out regular raids on identified criminal “hideouts” and “black spots” and would take war to criminals to dislodge them.
He assured he would run an open-door policy and accept all types of “constructive” criticism adding he will remain focused, non- partisan and professional in the performance of his duties.
He appealed to political chieftains in the state to work together and bring progress to the state saying the time to develop the state is now that the elections are over.
The new police boss promised to work hard to bring good policing to the people of the state, and asked for continuous good working relationship with the press saying that the press are critical stakeholders in the fight against crime.
CP Dandaura said: “To the good people of Rivers State, I pledge to work assiduously with my team to deliver quality and productive policing to you, You will once again enjoy a more peaceful Rivers State, where you can go about your lawful businesses and other activities unmolested”.
He also pledged to have a good working relationship with the government of Rivers State saying: “May I also extend my pledge to the Government of Rivers, as under my watch, I shall entrench good working relationship with the Government to achieve our common goals of making the environment conducive. Hence again, I strongly solicit the support of the Government in terms of provision of logistics and other assistance we may require in the course of our duty in the state”.
He said he will be committed to serving Rivers State and thanked Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, for finding him worthy to be posted to the state.
The new Commissioner of Police is 40th commissioner of police to serve in Rivers State and took over from CP Usman Belel. He hails from Katsina State in Northern Nigeria and attended Bayero University, Kano where he got a degree in History and a master’s degree from Postgraduate School, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna in International Affairs and Strategic Studies.
A press release signed by Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, said the new commissioner of police is “a versatile Police Officer with impeccable track record in crime fighting, a global security watch strategist (and) an international Security Watch Ambassador”.
