The Community policing Advisory Committee of Elekahia Police Division in Port Harcourt Local Government Area of Rivers State has been inaugurated over the weekend.
Speaking at the event which witnessed the presence of major stakeholders in the area, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the Station, CSP Alex Gamaliel said the programme is in line with the Inspector-General of Police directive to tackle security challenges in the country especially at the grassroots.
He made it known that the Nigeria Police Force comprise of competent men and women who are willing and ready to work, but are handicapped by lack of equipment to enhance their performance.
According to him, “It is of interest to note that when our officers go abroad for peace keeping operation, they are rated high but back home, they cannot perform owing to lack of or malfunctioning materials to work.
Here in this division, he noted, we lack serviceable vehicles to respond to distress calls from members of the public,” CSP Gamaliel however expressed hope on the promise of the Obio/Akpor LG chairman, Hon. Solomon Eke to come to their aid soon, if they are willing to work.
Also speaking, the chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Elder Chief Emmanuel Obi said the IGP policy is a good one to further support the police in their determined effort in fighting crime and criminality. He disclosed that with the inauguration of the Advisory Committee which is made up of men/women of unquestionable character, security challenges will be reduced in the area if not eradicated.
He used the opportunity to reel out some of the support the PCRC of the area has been rendering to the Police Division, adding that effective collaborative effort is what is needed to combat insecurity at the grassroots.
Those who were inaugurated included HRH Eze Raymond Emenike Chinda, Chief A. W. Akarolo, Elder Chief Emmanuel Obi, Chief Don Nyeche Woluchor and Chief Basil Okoye.
Others were Alhaji Suleiman, Dr. Gbeke Kalagbor, Hon. Jennifer, Hon. Solomon Ikunga and Bishop Godwill E. D. Jumbo. Some others were Madam Amaka Ndubuisi, Mrs. Salome Ebom Ejims, Mrs. Ann Amadi, Mrs Blessing Obinda and Hon. Charles Kalagbor.
Similarly, the Paramount Ruler/Nyenweli Iriebe town in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State has called for collaboration among communities with the police to fight crime and criminality.
He made the call while inaugurating the community policing Advisory Committee Organised by the Oyigbo Police Division over the weekend.
The monarch stated that the inauguration of the committee by the Police authorities is an indication that security is everyone’s business and used the opportunity to laud the Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu for incorporating members of the public in the fight against crime.
He commended the Oyigbo Divisional Police Officer (DPO) CSP Hassan Yahaya for his proactiveness and professionalism since he assumed duties in the area.
Eze Worenwu further said it is necessary to partner with the police and other security agents to ensure peace and tranquility across communities in Rivers State, assuring that Iriebe town will not relent in her support to the Police.
He equally warned against recruiting of persons with questionable character in the committee in order not to jeopardize the good intention of the authorities.
In his welcome address, the Oyigbo DPO, CSP Yahaya said the essence of the committee as conceived by the IG is to ensure credibility and sanity because according to him, security remains everyone’s business hence the need for all hands to be on deck in the fight against criminality.
Stakeholders presence include High Chief Samuel Azuh, Clergymen and other traditional rulers.
