BE APOLITICAL DURING ELECTIONS, GOVERNOR WIKE URGES NEW POLICE COMMISSIONER


Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has advised the State Police Command to be apolitical during  the  forthcoming  rerun elections  as the people of the state will  resist  any plot to use instruments  of State to rig elections .

Speaking at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday  when the new State  Commissioner of Police,  Mr Francis Mobolaji Odesanya paid him a courtesy visit,  Governor Wike charged policemen  not to take  sides in the discharge of their security  duties.

He noted that the police  should  work  professionally to create the right atmosphere for the  people  to exercise  their franchise without molestation.

The governor stated : "If anyone  uses instruments of State to rig elections,  we will  not fold our hands".

He reminded the police of the  need to weed out compromised officers with political  affiliation,  pointing  out  that  he has written to the Inspector-General of Police on the issue.

Governor Wike maintained  that  the  state government  will  continue  to  support the police to fight crime at all levels.

"For the past one year, we have bought over 100 vehicles for security  agencies.  We will  always support  the police  to improve  security.

"We have  to work together  to  fight crime. I am happy  with  the  level of  policing  in the state which has reduced  the level  of  crime", Governor Wike said.

The governor  announced that the state government  will  supply  additional  vehicles  to the police.  He also directed the local government councils in the state to provide logistics  support to police divisions  across the state.

Earlier,  the Rivers State Commissioner of Police,  Mr Francis Mobolaji Odesanya said  that  the  police under his leadership will  ensure the mop up of arms to promote  security of lives and property.

He said  that Rivers State will not be home  to crimes as measures are being implemented  to root them out.

He assured the people of the state  that he will be apolitical and professional  in the discharge  of  his duties.

The new commissioner of Police is the fifth  police chief working with Governor Wike since he  assumed duty on May 29, 2015.

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