*Abraka Protest: ‘We Waded In Because Police Overwhelmed, Nobody Shot’
*Orodje Of Okpe Exonerates Monarchs Over Sale Of Lands To Herders
GOVERNOR Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, on Thursday, June 5, said the state government would deploy modern technology in tackling crimes across the state.
Piqued by growing insecurity in parts of the state, Oborevwori told local council chairmen that consistent attendance and active participation in the monthly security council meetings was non-negotiable, saying it is crucial for assessing threats, sharing intelligence and coordinating responses to crime.
He warned that any chairman who fails to take the meetings seriously would face disciplinary actions, including possible suspension.
Speaking during a high-level security stakeholders meeting in Asaba, Oborevwori expressed displeasure over reports that some council chairmen have been neglecting their roles in coordinating grassroots security efforts.
The governor stressed the need for all security stakeholders to up their game in ensuring enhanced peace and security across the state, especially with reports of upsurge in cases of kidnapping, cult clashes and cult-related killings and drug abuse.
The governor expressed optimism that deployment of advanced surveillance systems, crime-mapping tools and data-driven intelligence would enhance the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies and reduce criminal activities.
While commending traditional rulers and security stakeholders for their continued support and partnership with government in the fight against armed robbery, kidnapping and other forms of violent crimes in the state, Oborevwori, however, said there was still a lot of work to be done.
H stated: “Reports of insecurity, especially kidnapping, are still prevailent, this very disturbing and I urge our youths not to resort to social media and making inciting statements, but to collaborate with security agencies and local vigilantes to confront the kidnappers and the perpetrators of other heinous crimes in their communities.
“Security is a shared responsibility and as council chairmen, you campaigned to win election and you should know your environment very well.
“House of Assembly members and commissioners from every local government, we must all do our best to ensure that we have enhanced peace and security in our various local government areas.
“We have been collaborating with the various security agencies, we have coordinated raids on blackspots across the state and we have recorded several successes in this regard. We are doing our best and we have destroyed kidnapping rings.
“The insecurity in the state has been compounded by the influx of undesirable elements from neighbouring states, especially from across the Niger. Very soon, we shall deploy technology to help detect and engage all these criminals undermining the peace of our dear state.
“I earnestly expect that our local government chairmen, who are the chief security officers of their areas, should hold their security council meetings regularly and brief me through the commissioner for local government or directly.”
He vowed to hold the ALGON chairman and his executives responsible for failure of council chairmen to hold regular security council meetings, charging them to work together with the traditional rulers in their areas.
The governor continued: “As a governor, I manage all the traditional rulers in the state. So, if I can manage all of them, you can also manage the traditional rulers in your respective local government areas.
“Look at the rate of crime in our society today, our children are into drugs and all sorts of social vices. So, you need to check what is happening around you. We will not take any form of laxity from any chairman. By the time we use one or two persons as examples, others will sit up.
“The conventional security agents deployed are trying their best and the community vigilantes are to support and complement their efforts, especially because they are more familiar with our people; hence the council chairmen should ensure adequate funding are provided for them. If you don’t support them, they won’t work to aid the conventional security agencies.
“I expect that the relationship among the stakeholders, especially the traditional rulers and the security agencies, should be cordial. Any domain whose traditional ruler is not cooperating with our security agencies would not be tolerated.
“This is the reason I called you here to share ideas and suggestions on how to proffer lasting solutions to the security challenges we have in the state, such as kidnapping, drug abuse and so on.”
Chairman Delta State Traditional Rulers Council and Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, Maj-Gen. Felix Mujakperuo (rtd), Orhue I, appreciated Oborevwori for the meeting.
He dismissed insinuations that traditional rulers give lands to herders and collect money from them, saying: “This is not true. In various communities, the lands belong to either the communities or families; it doesn’t belong to traditional rulers.
“Some bad elements in our communities take money from the helders and they will say that our kings are aware, just to rubbish the traditional rulers. We believe that what we have done today will go a long way to ensure that security of the state is at the top.
“We haven’t seen the presence of the Federal Forest Guards in all the local government, so we have not been able to use the local hunters effectively. But we have vigilante in our various communities, the only problem we have is that they have not been properly funded.”
Commander of the 63 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Asaba, Brig-Gen. Folu Shonibare, said stakeholders at the meeting agreed on how to curb the menace of kidnapping, cultism, farmers/herders clashes and drug abuse in the state.
He said security agencies would continue to do their best to enure the state is cleared of all criminals, citing the recent thwarting of the kidnap of 16 civilians.
Shonibare dismissed reports of shooting of people during the recent protest in Abraka community, insisting the military cleared the protest peacefully and his men were professional in discharging their duties.
He explained: “The particular protest in Abraka went violent, as it was hijacked by hoodlums who started flogging civilians along the road side, started closing down shops, forcing people to join the protest and even blocked the highway, causing a very major gridlock.
“It was chaotic and the military had to wade in, as the Police were overwhelmed. Nobody was shot in that incident.”
