IGP donates 6 gunboats to Rivers for crime fighting

…Warns against use for private guard

From Tony John, Port Harcourt

Inspector General of Police( IGP )Kayode Egbetokun, yesterday , donated six gunboats for effective policing of waterways in Rivers State.

Egbetokun, who was represented by Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG)  Mohammed Ali, said he was inundated with complaints about sea piracy and robbery from Rivers people in Bonny Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

He said: “The IGP office was inundated with complaints from people of Bonny complaining of sea piracy, armed robbery along the waterways.

“Consequently, the IGP decided that the gunboats be brought here to fight menace of crime and criminality in addition to other crime fighting outfit doing their job to keep the state clear and peaceful.

“It is only when we make the state safer that investors can come in and youth will be employed. The Nigerian marine domain is a major contributor to economy of the nation.  “For effective policing of this area, there is need for visibility patrol and apprehension of criminals; hence, the donation of the gunboats.The commissiong came handy and timely in effectiveness of Nigeria Police to fight marine crime and criminality.

“It is the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu and IGP that this good work be sustained and the equipment be put into judicious use. The marine unit should ensure proper care and maintenance.

“The equipment is not to be deployed for private security guard. It is to combat insecurity on waterways. It is not to make money for individuals at the expense of  the safety of the  general public.

“Continue to support Nigeria Police in the business of crime fighting.We want to ensure that Rivers State and Niger Delta remain safe.”

Secretary to the State Government, Tammy Danagogo, who represented Governor Siminalayi Fubara, said the governor takes  security matters very seriously.

Danagogo said: “We thank you for not sending other police officer to do this work, but sending one of our own,DIG Ali is qualified to be an indigene of the state.

“One thing I noticed in Rivers State is that officers who come here and perform excellently always get to top of their career. We thank the IGP for this laudable initiative. It is a rare gesture. We heard when the maritime complained and sent letters to Abuja on issues of sea pirates.

“For the IGP to respond and send six gunboats to arrest the situation of sea piracy, is very commendable.

“On behalf of the people of Rivers state, we extend our heart felt gratitude to the IGP and President who enabled him.”

Speaking further, the SSG stressed that security is a cardinal aspect of the renewed hope agenda, saying that the provision of the gunboats will actualize the renewed hope agenda of President Tinubu.

He assured: “We will continue to support Nigeria Police and other security agencies in the state.We have always placed high premium on security and peace.

“The Police in Rivers is doing well. The new CP came onboard and received baptism of fire from Emohua. He discharged himself quickly by arresting the culprits. Continue to maintain peace in Rivers State.”

He urged Rivers state  Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, to  follow the dictates of his conscience, of God, humanity and the law.

Earlier, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, incharge of Zone 16, Yenagoa, AIG Adebola Hamzat, said, “Today is an epoch making event a  day to felicitate with the FG and the Police.

“We are going ahead in fighting crime not only on land, but on water. The IGP through FG has been able to launch gunboats.We are assuring the nation we are upto the task in fighting crime and reducing it to the barest minimum.”

CP  Adepoju, in his vote of thanks, said the state has been having a lot of issues on waterways and it has been worrisome.

He expressed: “We thank the IGP for coming to our rescue. We assure the IGP the gunboats will be put to judicious use.