Some police officers were on Friday rewarded for their outstanding performances in their different areas of operation by the Rivers state Police Command.
Among the officers honoured were CSP Wonwu Grace who received the best female DPO award, CSP Adamu Amadu clinched the best tactical commander award and CSP Bako Angashim, the best male DPO award.
Others were; Inspector Innih Winifred Akpan who took home the best OAP award and Sergeant Gods Time Nwuju, the best traffic controller.
The awards were presented to the officers at the 2021 end of the year award/ dinner night, which was held at the Officers mess, Old GRA, Port Harcourt.
The event had in attendance, Governor Nyesom Wike, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Government House ,Engr. Emeka Nwoke, AIG, Don N. Awunah, CP Eboka Friday, the Commissioner of police, Rivers State and Apostle Chibuzo Chinyere, the general overseer, Omega Power Ministry(OPM).
Also in attendance were Senior police officers, traditional rulers, captain of industries, commandant of Civil Defense Corps, Controller of prison and other dignitaries.
In his welcome address, CP Friday Eboka, acknowledged the presence of all the dignitaries and thanked them for honouring the invitation.
The Police Commissioner explained that 2021 was a remarkable year for the Command because Rivers State emerged as one of the most peaceful state in Nigeria.
“The command decided to celebrate the end of the year because 2021 was quite challenging and at first, it was rough and appeared as if the light was not forth coming but by the grace of God, the year ended and Rivers was recorded as one of the most peaceful States”, he stated.
He thanked Almighty God for his grace and Inspector General of Police for choosing Rivers State as the venue for the launching of South-South Operation Restore Peace.
According to him, this came with the deployment of special forces with sophisticated equipment as well as combat helicopter to the state.
He commended Governor Wike for being very phenomenal in the attainment of peace and security in the State.
“Since my assumption of office, the command has received more than 50 patrol vehicles fitted with modern gadgets from the State government. This gesture alone enhanced visibility policing in the State.
“Recall too, when we lost men to miscreants in sometimes April 2021, the governor did not allow us to suffer alone. He wiped the tears of the deceased families with a total sum N220 million, which means each family received the sum of N20million.
“Recall the ENDSARS saga. At the end of that saga, which led to the burning down of police stations and vehicles across the nation, the State governor did not abandon us to work under the trees. But rather, the governor constructed a storey building each for the Area Command, Oyigbo and the Divisional Police in Oyigbo.”
The CP also appreciated sister agencies and called for greater corporation among them.
On his part, Governor Wike charged the Rivers State Commissioner of Police to collaborate with the other Security Agencies, Council Chairmen and Traditional Rulers to fish out all those involved in illegal bunkering and artisanal refining for prosecution.
The governor accused persons engaged in illegal bunkering and artisanal refining for the black soot environmental menace that is endangering the health of residents of the State.
declared that the State government has resolved to tackle those involved in crude oil theft and refining once and for all.
Governor Wike stated that the state government is willing to provide the police and other security agencies all that is required to dislodge and end the activities of artisanal refiners in Rivers State.
According to the governor, “the State is prepared to fight them more than ever before.”
Governor Wike, narrated that since the Commissioner of Police, Friday Eboka assumed duty last year, Rivers State has witnessed peace and improved policing.
“Little wonder the crime index in the state has reduced drastically. We thought we are the only people witnessing it, but with the award you got from the wife of the Inspector General of Police, it is an eloquent testimony that what we are seeing as a State, is also being observed from all the nation.”
The governor said policing in Rivers State has improved remarkably because the management of the Nigeria Police Force at the Force Headquarters and the State Command respectively distanced themselves from politics.
“As a state, we will continue to support the security agencies in the State. Our support for security agencies is not only centered on Police force. We are also extending similar gesture to the Navy, Air force and others.
“For us, we believe the primary function of any responsible government is to protect life and property. So, we have no option than to continue to support in providing logistics and everything that can make the security agencies in the State to function very well.
“Because we believe that if our people are safe and the life here is peaceful, there will be increase in economics activities and the Internally Generated Revenue will also go up.”
Governor Wike commended Mr Eboka, who is the 42nd Commissioner of Police in Rivers State for discharging his duty professionally and not joining the league of some of his predecessors, who were posted to the State to cause turmoil and instability.
He commended the Commissioner of Police and his entire command for organizing the award.
” Let me on behalf of the good people of Rivers state, congratulate Nigerian Police Force, Rivers state command for putting together this wonderful occasion”
He congratulated CP Eboka for his recognition as the Commissioner of police in Nigeria by the IGP’s wife, Hajiya Hajara Usman Baba and enjoined others to emulate him.
Furthermore, the governor encouraged the awardees to keep up the good work and announced N1 million reward for each of the recipients of the Rivers State Police Command award and N10 Million to the Command for organising the event.
Highlight of the event was the conferment of Governor Wike with the award of the Best Crime Fighting Governor of the year 2021.
The founder and General Overseer, Omega Power Ministry, Apostle Dr. Chibuzor Gift Chinyere, was honoured for his unrelenting assistance to the State Police Command
