Fubara Tackles Police on Harassment of Citizens, Says Rivers Unsafe for Criminals 

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has condemned the series of reported harassment of citizens by some officers of the Nigeria Police Force in Rivers State.

Governor Fubara made the observation yesterday, when the newly deployed state Commissioner of Police, Nwonyi Emeka, paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

The governor, who frowned at the activities of some police officers operating in the guise of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in the state, said the unit of the police was disbanded a long time ago.

He urged the new police commissioner to look into those noted operations and ensure that they cease to function in the state so that members of the public do not continue to suffer harassment from them. 

“The importance of security is a collective responsibility of all stakeholders and so we urge you to get to the bottom of complaints from citizens in consideration of security matters, as the people were always directly affected during security breaches,” Fubara said. 

The governor further advised the police commissioner to be firm and forthright in tackling all forms of crime in the state, as well as give listening ear to every complaint without bias or favour to address security issues holistically.

He reiterated the commitment of his administration to sustain support to all security agencies in the state to ensure that the security of lives and property are not compromised.

He identified the importance of the Nigeria police in the fight against crime and criminality, which he said will require regular logistics support from the government and vital information elicited from members of the public.

“Let your familiarity with Rivers State security terrain be an advantage to effectively combat crime and criminalities in the state, and I urge you  to deploy your wealth of experience in fighting crime and insecurities in the state,” the governor noted.

He also directed the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor and other relevant agencies of government, to create a strong synergy with the police and other security agencies in terms of institutional relationship in handling security issues.

Earlier, the Police Commissioner, Emeka, assured that under his watch, accurate information and intelligence will be deployed in fighting crime and criminality in the state.

He said that in the last two weeks, the fight against criminal elements has been formidable with appreciable results. 

Emeka said with more support both from the government and members of various communities, more milestones will be achieved in making the state safer for all residents.

“My primary duty here is to tackle crime and criminality effectively. And to achieve this, all hands must be on deck as we seek the help of the Government of Rivers State and good spirited people of the state to achieve this.”