20 Policemen Arrested For Taking Bribe

Mr Francis Mobalaji Odesanya identified unending political crisis and the reign of unresolved violent crimes, as the main two pillars, threatening the peace and tranquillity of the state.

Newly deployed commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Mr Francis Mobalaji Odesanya, has said no fewer than 20 policemen have been arrested in the state for taking bribe.

Odesanya, who spoke yesterday while addressing newsmen at the Police Officers’ Mess, Port Harcourt, said the policemen were arrested within the short period he has been in the helms of affairs of the state Police Command.

The commissioner of Police said, “We do not have road blocks in Rivers State, but Section 27 of the Police Act gives us the power to stop and search any time and at any point. In as much as I don’t support corruption and I don’t support the policemen taking money, already presently, with the monitoring team, we have over 20 policemen already arrested since I came in.

“They are going to be thoroughly sanctioned and I know that my predecessor had been doing the same. The IGP has a monitoring team that moves round; the AIG has a monitoring team. We are doing our best to put an end to all these. My plea is this, it takes two to tango. Please, don’t give Police money.

“This is an era of social media; there is a response unit with the police that you can easily access with your phone if the man is demanding for money and they will definitely come to your aid. Let us cooperate with ourselves.”

Odesanya stated that it is the responsibility of the government to guarantee the safety of persons, who are carrying out their legitimate endeavours without hindrance.

He said, “There are two critical pillars troubling the peace and tranquility of Rivers State which are the unending political crisis and the reign of unresolved violent crimes. In every society, some level of crimes exists.

“It is one of the primary responsibilities of government to guarantee the safety of civilians and every other persons carrying out their legitimate endeavours without hindrance. Crime sets in where opportunity exists, escape is very possible and premium is derivable.”

The Police chief stated that the Marine Section of the State Police Command is trying its best to tackle the menace of sea piracy in the creeks and rivers in the state.

He said, “When we talk about piracy, you should know that the duty of the Marine Police is limited to the creeks and the rivers. We cannot go on the high sea, thst is the work of the Navy. Within the creeks, we are doing our best with our limited resources because these things cost money; gunboats, speedboats, patrol boats, they cost a lot of money.”