Francis Mobalaji Odesanya was
appointed the police commissioner in Rivers state during the recent promotion
exercise carried out by the police authority recently
– He has now raised an
alarm over circulation and proliferation of arms in the state as criminality
continues to gain ground in the state .
He has however promised the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) that he would rid the state of criminals
as long as he remains commissioner The new police commissioner in Rivers state,
Francis Mobalaji Odesanya, is not finding it easy following the proliferation
of arms in the state.
He reportedly raised an alarm over
what has been described as the circulation of sophisticated weapons in the
state while the Nigerian Army raided areas including Lagos street, Abuja
estate, Waterfront and some black spots in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
After the raid, a total of 142 suspects were arrested. Leadership newspaper
reports that the police chief mentioned his concern when management team of the
law enforcement agency paid a courtesy visit to the Resident Electoral
Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),
Elder Aniedi Ikoiwak.
He however promised to check this
act as long as he remained the police boss in the state. “Police has always
been on the ground,police has always been ready for elections. “We are on the
ground and the state is secured; and the state will be secured. “The problem
here is the issue of over proliferation of arms. What is happening in Rivers,
is also happening in other states. “But the problem of Rivers state is that
they have sophisticated weapons. “So my primary assignment of focus is to mop
up arms.
We must mop up arms; we have started,” he
said. On the other hand, a statement by the assistant director, Army public
relations in the state, Captain Eli Lazarus, read: “In the early hours of
Sunday, 31 July 2016, men of 2 brigade Nigerian Army conducted raid operation
at Lagos street, Abuja general area and some black spots in Port Harcourt city.
“This is in continuation of the brigade’s operation against criminals and
cultists in Rivers state. “One hundred and forty two suspects were arrested
during the raid operation. “However, after profiling the suspects, some were
released while fifteen suspects are being interrogated and would be handed over
to relevant security agencies for further investigation. “Additionally, the
brigade is conducting show of force as part of the army’s ‘Exercise Crocodile
Smile’ which commenced this weekend. “The public is hereby enjoined to continue
to provide security agencies with credible information that would assist in the
arrest of criminals in the society.” Governor Nyesom Wike is also personally
supervising the demolition of shanties and slums in the state that have
reportedly become hideouts for alleged criminals.
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