Rivers State New Police Commissioner Vows to Tackle Cultism, Armed Robbery, and Violence

Olugbenga Adepoju, the newly appointed Commissioner of Police for Rivers State, has vowed to take strong action against cultism, armed robbery, communal clashes, and other forms of violent crime in the state. In his maiden press briefing held in Port Harcourt on Friday, Adepoju emphasized that under his leadership, the state’s police command would not tolerate criminal activities such as kidnapping, oil bunkering, and other serious offenses.

Adepoju acknowledged the challenges presented by recent political crises in the state, as well as the complexities of law enforcement, and emphasized the need for a proactive and strategic approach to maintaining order. He outlined his key priorities, which include strengthening intelligence gathering, enhancing community policing, and ensuring strong public engagement. He also made it clear that corruption within the force would not be tolerated, and that efforts to curb cultism and youth violence would be intensified.

“My key focus areas include strengthening intelligence gathering, collaborating with communities, traditional institutions, and other security agencies to proactively prevent crime,” said Adepoju. He also assured that response times to emergencies and distress calls would be improved, and that police visibility would be enhanced through collaboration with various stakeholders.

In addition to his focus on crime prevention, Adepoju pledged to promote professionalism and transparency within the police force. “Under my watch, this command will have zero tolerance for corruption, and we will ensure effective discipline within the ranks of the police,” he stated.

The new commissioner further outlined plans to combat cult-related activities and youth restiveness, calling for partnerships with civil society groups and youth organizations to promote peace. He also highlighted his commitment to tackling oil theft and environmental crimes, promising to collaborate with relevant agencies to dismantle criminal networks within the oil industry.

Adepoju’s administration, he affirmed, would be guided by integrity, transparency, and a strong sense of duty. He called for a collaborative effort from all stakeholders to build a safer Rivers State