27th November, 2015
Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
Following complaints of poor security situation around Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, especially after reported cases of kidnappings and cultism, the Rivers State Police Command assured of constant patrols of the premises of the university.
The decision of the Rivers Police command was revealed by the new Divisional Police Officer, DPO, of Rumuolumeni Division, Kingsley Chukwuegwu, a Superintendent of Police, when he paid a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Joseph Kinanee.
Chukwuegwu who promised a 24-hour patrol at the university premises also said his team would interact with students from time to time as a strategy to fish out bad eggs amongst them and curb any planned nefarious activities.
The DPO pledged his support to maintain peace as well as solve the current security challenges being faced by the university and requested for some form of assistance to help serve the institution better.
In his response, Professor Kinanee thanked the new DPO for his plan and also told him about the collaboration with road transport workers to build a park there to have a well organized transportation system for commuters.
He hoped that the new security measures would put a stop to the current situation being experienced at the university gate and looked forward to a sustained cordial relationship between the university community and the Police force at Rumuolumeni Divisional Police Headquarters.
Professor Rosamund Green-Osaghualu, the former Vice-Chancellor of the University was abducted in June this year on her way home after close of work, but was released after six days amidst controversies.
Since then there have been case of criminality around the institution.
In a related development, Governor Nyesom Wike who has been inundated with reports of kidnapping, armed robbery and cultism directed that suspects arrested over the aforementioned cases not to be released without proper investigation and prosecution.
He said this during the courtesy visit of the Assistant Inspector General of Police for Zone 6, Mr Baba Adisa Bolanta at the Government House, Port Harcourt.
Wike also directed that “Anybody arrested in respect of kidnapping, cultism and armed robbery must be prosecuted. I have directed the Commissioner of Police never to release any suspect on the strength of his relationship with any government official or any prominent citizen of the state.
“On no account should the police release the suspects of kidnapping, cultism and armed robbery without proper investigation and prosecution. I have directed the state Attorney-General to ensure that all legal loopholes during prosecution are checked to ensure that suspected criminals are prosecuted.”
The governor who was worried over the level of kidnappings, added that his administration has taken delivery of two armoured helicopters, pointing out that the state government has applied for waiver because the helicopters will be used for security and not for luxury purposes.
While praising the State Police Commissioner for effectively fighting crime, he urged the police hierarchy to allow the commissioner remain in the state and fight crime.
Earlier, AIG Zone 6, Baba Adisa Bolanta further commended Governor Wike for mobilizing support in the Local Government Areas for the police to fight crime.
He said security is an expensive venture, pointing out that the police will continue to seek more support from the state government.
Bolanta said he was in Rivers State for a familiarization visit, noting that a helicopter has been devoted to Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Cross River states for crime fighting.