2nd August, 2014
Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers on Friday advised politicians against arming youths with dangerous weapon to perpetuate electoral violence.
He said this at the launch of “Stop Kidnapping” campaign by the Police Command in Port Harcourt.
Represented by Tele Ikuru, his Deputy, Amaechi said: “the guns will be turned against such politicians one day after the elections.”
Amaechi said security agencies, especially the police had performed creditably and assured that his administration would continue to partner with the command.
He advised the Federal Government to adequately remunerate police personnel what was due to them, adding that they could “put their lives on the line when they are paid well”.
According to him, the fight against kidnapping can only succeed through the use of electronic device rather than physical means.
The governor said the campaign should be extended to all Police Divisions and local government areas in the state.
Commissioner of Police, Tunde Ogunsakin, decried the spate of kidnapping put at an average of 20 reported cases per month in the state.
Ogunsakin, however, said the incidence had been reduced by 50 per cent on account of the preventive strategy adopted by the command.
He said that 50 suspects were arrested between January and April 2014, noting that, “Nigeria contributes 20 per cent of the global kidnapping”.
The commissioner said the command expected 10 million people to sign the register on “Stop Kidnapping” campaign.
He appealed to the public to have confidence in the police and furnish it with useful information about suspected criminals and their activities.
In his contribution, the Chairman Senate Committee on Defence, Senator George Sikibo, appealed to the police to do all it could to fight social vices such as kidnapping and robbery.
George, whose wife was kidnapped early 2014, commended the security agencies for their roles in her rescue.
He later donated a 16-seater bus to anti-kidnapping unit of the Rivers State Police Command.