•CP Tunji Disu
The Police hierarchy in Rivers State has directed all Area Commanders, Tactical Commanders, and Divisional Police officers to deploy personnel to churches, parks, event centers, as well as entry and exit routes in the state to ensure a hitch free Easter celebrations.
The directive from the state Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Disu, was contained in a statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko today.
The CP noted that officers on the highways have also been instructed to maintain a high level of vigilance and professionalism, adding that Christians have been urged to use the occasion of the Easter to pray for God’s protection and peace in the State, reports Daily Independent.
Disu however warned religious leaders, traditional leaders, parents, and guardians are advised to caution their children and wards against engaging in unlawful activities during the celebration.
“Officers deployed on the highways have been instructed to maintain a high level of vigilance and professionalism while carrying out their duties.
“The CP extends his felicitations to the good people of Rivers State, particularly Christians, on the occasion of the Easter celebration. He urges Christians to pray for God’s protection and peace in Rivers State.
“Religious leaders, traditional leaders, parents, and guardians are advised to caution their children and wards against engaging in unlawful activities during the celebration.”
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Basil Igwebueze, directed also deployed 2,300 Personnel of the Corps to protect critical infrastructure in the state, assuring that residents of the State would enjoy a peaceful Easter celebration.
According to a statement by the Command spokesperson, SC Olufemi Ayodele, the NSCDC state commandant, Igwebueze has directed all Head of Departments, Unit Heads, Area Commanders, Divisional Officers and Location Supervisors of the corps to ensure the appropriate deployment of Personnel to strategic points to forestall any form of criminality before, during and after the celebration.
Igwebueze said, “As part of our statutory duties to protect lives and property you are hereby directed to deploy your men to identified flash points, Recreational/Event Centres, Religious gatherings, Motor parks, Markets, Crowded and public gatherings were criminal minded individuals might intend to carry out their evil acts”.
“The State Commandant further hinted that the 2,300 Personnel deployed were drawn from various Units and Departments of the Command such as: Marine Unit, Arms Squad, the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Antivandal Unit, Intelligence Unit, Anti-Human Trafficking and illegal Migration Unit, Agro Rangers Squad, Commandant’s Quick Response Squad and Personnel from the 23 Local Government of Rivers State.
“As a trained officer you are well acquainted with the trajectory of crimes and how its carried out; you know that criminals always take advantage of the festive period to carry out their illegal operations, I hereby charge you to step up your Operational Tactics and Intelligence Techniques both overt and covert on land and waterways. You are to secure all Critical National Assets and Infrastructure in the state without compromise.”
