Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, Mr Olufemi Abaniwonda, has said that his officers and men will continue to confront security breaches, respond swiftly to distress calls, and protect life and property in the state.
He gave the assurance on Wednesday while speaking as a guest of Orientation Panorama, the Peoples program on Voice of Delta Radio 97.9 FM, noting that Delta remained one of the safest states in Nigeria, while commending the governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, for assisting the command to enhance its operations.
The CP who was represented by the command Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Bright Edafe, noted that mischievous social media influencers have been raising false alarms over security situations in some communities, thereby painting a negative picture of security breaches in those areas.
Abaniwonda disclosed that under his watch as the command CP, some kidnapped victims were rescued, and that during one of such strategic operations, one AK-47 riffle was recorded from a suspected kidnapper, while some reasonable sum of money was also recovered, pointing to show proceeds of ransom.
And on the reported series of kidnappings in Ika Land, and killing of a prominent vigilante, the State Commissioner of Police acknowledged that there were reports of kidnapping in some communities, pointing out that his officers and men are already on ground working with stakeholders and some vigilante groups to restore peace to towns and villages affected by security breaches.
He assured that the state command will continue to work round the clock to secure life and property in the state, which, according to him, is the primary responsibility of the government and the Nigerian Police.
CP Abaniwonda appealed to members of the public to always report suspicious movements and any threat to public peace, to enable law enforcement agents to intervene and deal with such cases.
“One of the challenges we are having while policing Delta State, is the regular insecurity false alarm by some mischievous social media influencers and bloggers.
These professional alarmists are always escalating minor security breaches and mischievously paint negative picture of security situation in the state. This is unacceptable.
“There was this incident of a member of a local vigilante group who claimed that 14 persons were killed in his community, and we demanded the names and identities of the victims but he could not provide any.
“And If not for the synergy or relationship that we maintain with vigilante groups he would have been detained and prosecuted for giving false information to the police.
“Two days ago, the social media trended a false report that Policemen in Ughelli shot a woman in the leg while they were protesting. It turned out to be false. This is obviously how some people spread fake news about the security situation in Delta State.
“Delta is secured and very peaceful. Citizens of the state and visitors are going about their legitimate business or personal activities without fear, and the police are on top of reported security breaches.
“Cases of kidnapping have reduced to the barest minimum, except few cases under investigation.
“Delta State Police Command will continue to do the needful to ensure that Deltans sleep with their eyes firmly closed,” CP Abaniwonda assured.
