BY AUSTIN OYIBODE
The Delta state commissioner of police, Mohammed Alli, on Monday gave marching order to area commanders and divisional police officers (DPOs) in the state to wake up to their responsibilities in policing Delta and chase criminals out of the state.
The police commissioner is insisting that any of these officers whose area of jurisdiction records more than three robbery or kidnapping cases will be moved from that area with immediate effect. He added that he is ever ready to battle the hoodlums and bring them down.
The police commissioner said within the past few weeks, there has been upsurge of criminal activities in the state and he would not allow that to continue as long as he remains in Delta. He said all area commanders and DPOs must be on their toes and ensure their areas of jurisdiction are well policed.
Mr. Ali who said he will give criminals tough time in the state, said he has removed the DPOs of Warri, Sapele and C Division in Asaba, warning that this is just the beginning and that those who fail to police their areas effectively will also join the league of those to be removed. He said the listed officers either remove the hoodlums or they are removed.
He said all the police officers in the state must work to ensure that hoodlums and all criminal elements are brought to book, noting that he will make the state unbearable for criminals. He noted that there is only one syndicate group that is terrorizing the state and that he is ready to put them on their toes and chase them out of the state.
The Delta police boss said his men are already taking charge of areas such as Sapele where peace is threatened and he appealed to the people of Delta state to cooperate with the police to make Delta state a crime free state.
On the issue of extortion on highways, he warned police officers to desist from such acts as he has zero tolerance for corruption among police officers, adding: “I never sent anyone to the road to collect money from drivers.” He called on DPOs and area commanders to ensure their men desist from such unholy acts while carrying out their duties.
He mentioned parts of Ugbolu road in Oshimili North local government area as one of the hot spots where criminals do have field days. He said there is an area along the road where men of Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) have claimed as their area and that a lot of criminal activities are carried out in that zone.
Emerald News reports that parts of Ughelli North, Warri in Warri South local government area and Sapele have been embroiled in criminal activities, murders, cultism and cult related killings and other vices. These acts have thrown serious security challenge to the area commanders and the DPOs in those centres.
Also attacks by Fulani herdsmen have been raging over the years in places such Uwheru in Ughelli North, Issele Azagba in Aniocha North, parts of Oshimili North and Abraka area, the university community of Delta state. Parts of Ndokwa East have also been receiving attacks from the Fulani herdsmen.
But with the marching order of the new commissioner of police, there is a glimmer of hope that these criminal activities, especially attacks by Fulani herdsmen, kidnapping and unnecessary killings will be reduced.
