Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the new Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, to draw up a holistic plan on how to tackle the twin problem of cultism among the youths and kidnapping incidences in boundary communities.
Governor Fubara gave the charge when he received CP Olugbenga Adepoju, the 47th Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, on courtesy visit, at Government House in Port Harcourt on Friday.
The governor said his administration is not failing on its responsibilities to security agencies to sufficiently address those issues and save Rivers people.adding, “But these particular challenges are rested on the police”.
“While you are carrying out the larger assignment that your people from headquarters will send you, also make sure that you look for every way possible to reduce issues of cultism because it is affecting our secondary schools, it is affecting our primary schools with students growing to become monsters, which is also leading to other issues like kidnapping and others.
“It starts from somewhere. So, we must also get to the root and reduce it. I know we cannot totally eliminate it, but, somehow, let us look for a way to reduce it”, he stated.
Governor Fubara pointed out that the former CP to the State had succeeded because he maintained healthy synergy with the State Government, and assured that the same level of support will be provided to the new CP, if he adheres to the tenets of professionalism.
“On our part as a Government, we will continue to support you to make sure you succeed. Your success here will mean more elevation for you. If you have a very bad record here, whether you like it or not, it will one day in the course of your profession, affect your growth.”
Speaking further, the governor advised the new Commissioner of Police to resist the temptation of attending nocturnal meetings that will make him declare war on Rivers people.
In his address, Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, expressed profound gratitude for the opportunity given to him to serve the resilient and vibrant people of Rivers State as the 47th Commissioner of Police.
CP Adepoju said he is fully aware of the complex security challenges in the State, and is determined to do everything professionally to confront them with innovation.
He said, “We will strengthen our intelligence gathering capabilities, enhance our rapid response mechanism, and most importantly, foster deeper trust and collaboration with the community we serve. Our Command will remain firmly apolitical, standing as a neutral and impartial institution, dedicated solely to upholding law and order. This commitment is vital to maintaining the trust and confidence of the people we protect.”
CP Adepoju also said: “While we will engage constructively with political leaders and key stakeholders to secure necessary resources and support, our engagement will always be conducted with professionalism and integrity”.
