Austin Agbonlahor, the assistant inspector-general of Police, Zone 16, has vowed to change the narrative of crime-fighting, saying that criminals in the zone comprising Bayelsa and Rivers states will be routed out.
Agbonlahor, who resumed duty three days ago, spoke on Wednesday, July 15, 2020, while addressing police officers at the Bayelsa State Police Command, Yenagoa.
Zone 16 zonal command with headquarters in Yenagoa, comprises Bayelsa and Rivers states.
He said since he resumed duty, he had been studying the crime situation in both states, noting that there was the need to boost the morale of officers and men, provide logistics support and adopt visibility policing to tackle crimes and criminality.
Agbonlahor also sought the cooperation of other security agencies and people of Bayelsa and Rivers to tackle crimes and promote peace in the zone.
The police boss stated: “My major assignment here is to coordinate the activities of police in the two state commands. We are here to promote a crime-free zone, peace and we are going to ensure fair hearing to all.
“As I came here, I received complaints and I can assure you that that activity of the police are accepted by almost everybody. We need the cooperation of other security agents and the people of these two states to make sure we tackle crimes and promote peace.”
When asked for an update on the recent killing of seven policemen attached to Bayelsa Command in Ughelli, Delta State, he said as the Zone 16 AIG, Delta was outside his purview hence he could not provide any update.
“I am not investigating that case and moreover it is outside my purview for now because I am covering Rivers and Bayelsa. So I can’t tell you about the update,” the AIG stated.
Acknowledging that Bayelsa and Rivers states have riverine terrains, the AIG said the marine police could easily tackle challenges on the waterways.
He said part of the strategies to boost manpower for the force was the recent notice for the recruitment of policemen in the country.
Source: The Nation
