•Give ultimatum to impound unregistered vehicles
By Eric Moore
SECURITY agencies in Rivers State have vowed to protect critical government assets, particularly oil installations in and around the state from criminal elements.
They have also given a seven-day deadline for unregistered vehicles with hidden plate numbers to be registered, or they would be impounded.
State Commissioner for Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, stated when alongside other service commanders, briefed journalists at the Police Headquarters, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, on Tuesday.
The joint security agencies at the briefing were the Police, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and Department of State Service (DSS).
The Commissioner of Police, CP Adepoju, said since the declaration of state of emergency in Rivers State, with the appointment of a sole administrator, all the security agencies have been working as a team to ensure safety of lives and property.
He commended the joint patrol team for diligently executing their assignment to support the mandate for state of emergency in Rivers.
The state Police boss disclosed that the Joint Security Team recently thwarted attempt by miscreants to vandalize pipeline which led to death of vandals in Aluu and Rumukpe in Ikwerre and Emohua local government areas respectively.
He added that eight male suspects were arrested and six kidnap victims rescued by the joint security operatives in Ogba/Egbema/Andoni local government area (ONELGA) within the time under review.
He said two pump action guns, two locally pistols,4 local single barrel guns, assorted ammunition and two motorcycles were recovered from the hoodlums.
The Rivers Police helmsman disclosed that another case of criminal operation targeting pipeline was foiled in ONELGA on March 16, as a suspect was arrested, adding that four dynamites, communication equipment were recovered.
He said the Joint security team in the period under review destroyed over 30 illegal refining sites, impounded thousands litres of stolen oil products.
Adepoju urged members of the public to provide security agencies with information concerning activities of suspected criminals in their neighbourhoods.
The Rivers CP urged parents to warn their children against involving in economic sabotage and other criminal conducts, encouraging Rivers residents to utilize some designated numbers to contact security operatives for quick responses when the need arises.
He declared: “The safety of our environment is paramount to foster business growth. We remain resolute in maintaining law and order.
“We are fully prepared to carry out our responsibility with diligence.We have improved deployment of security operatives to curtail movement of criminals and illicit materials.”
He added: “A targeted enforcement will commence to impound unregistered number plates, because such issue can jeopardize security.
“The Rivers Police Command will work in collaboration with other agencies to ensure peace and safety in the state.”