PRESS BRIEFING BY CP CHRIS O. EZIKE ON FIRST 24DAYS ACHIEVEMENTS REPORT HELD TUESDAY 21ST JULY, 2015 AT COMMAND HEADQUARTERS PORT HARCOURT.

On assumption of duty as the 34th Commissioner of Police, Rivers State in the last days of June 2015, I realized the enormity of the challenges besetting the Command vis-a-vis efficient delivery of satisfactory service to the people of the State.
2. The crime-wave was getting higher, driven by increase in kidnapping and armed robbery incidents. These were fueled by cultism. Homicide cases and communal crises across the State were causing concern. Traffic gridlock added to this heap. Therefore urgent strategic steps had to be taken.
3. During my visit to His Excellency, the Governor echoed above sentiments and charged me to address these challenges. He indicated his willingness to support us and has taken immediate positive steps in this direction.
4. In my inaugural address of 2nd July 2015, I said my focus would be to provide qualitative services to the people of the State; fight violent crimes with vigor; partner with other security services and non-state actors; respect the rights of the citizens; abhor corrupt practices; promote professionalism and ensure peace, security and safety for the State and its people.
5. We have taken these steps and I am therefore using this forum to highlight the major achievements recorded within the past 3 weeks;
i. Re-awakened the service zeal and orientation of the average Policeman in the State. They must justify their pay by performing reciprocally, their expected duties, responsibilities and functions.
ii. Invigoration of visible policing strategy and massive deployment of Police Patrol vehicles.
iii. Declaration of “One Month Emergency on Violent Crimes”.
iv. Introduction of “Operation Keep Moving” which was launched and flagged off by His Excellency on 14th July 2015.
v. Resolution of communal crises.
vi. Intervention in confidence-loss crises between Oil firms and host Communities.
vii. Arrest of Armed Robbers, Kidnappers and Cultists, including notorious ones.
viii. Recovery of firearms, stolen vehicles and rescue of kidnapped victims.
ix. Handling and defusing of evolving political tension arising from Court judgment.

6. NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS.
Some incidents worthy of mention include:
i. The proactive response of the Police to the stalemate generated by the dissolution of the 22 L.G.A Executives by the Federal High Court on Thursday 9th July, 2015. Police action stopped the State from sliding into unwanted anarchy. Government property were prevented from looting, lives were saved, the Rule of Law allowed to have its way, with Law and Order restored. I must commend the leadership of both sides for the maturity showed during the period.

ii. Alternate Dispute Resolution Mechanism was initiated to douse the avoidable bloody communal crises between Wakama, Kporghor and lately Kira Communities. We have been able to bring the warring parties to a discussion table, inaugurated a Peace Committee towards a comprehensive peace pact. While this is on, we are maintaining full presence on the ground.

iii. Tension was brought down and violence suppressed in Bodo City, Gbe, Kpor, Bomu and Lewe Communities in Gokhana L.G.A over speculated embezzlement of over N4.5 billion being Royalty Fee allegedly paid to the Communities by SPDC.



iv. On 7/7/2015 at about 1400hrs, a three-man armed robbery gang operating with a black Highlander Jeep was intercepted by the Police along Rumuobiakani Road, after robbing a man of over N 2million withdrawn from a Bank. In the ensuing encounter, one of the robbers was arrested with bullet wounds, his accomplices escaped. Their operational vehicle was recovered and when searched, two AK47 rifles, with four magazines loaded with 92 rounds of 9.62mm ammunition, including 2 extra plate numbers BRR 490 BZ and KRD 09 DK as well as the robbed money were recovered. Similar feats were recorded in three other instances in the State.
v. On 1/7/2015, SARS operatives tracked down a five-man armed robbery syndicate and arrested three members of the gang. This group is adept at snatching vehicles from their owners, especially within Mgbuoba/NTA axis of Port Harcourt. ironically, the group is led by a Soldier, who deserted his Unit on duty at Maiduguri, Bornu State. He has been taken into custody along with two accomplices, Ifeanyi Eze ‘m’ and Golden Mannuel ‘m’. Items recovered from them include:

i. One AK 47 Rifle
ii. Six Magazines
iii. 150 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition
iv. One Honda Pilot Jeep with reg. No. ABU 203 BC

Within the past 24 days, the SARS Team has arrested 45 suspected armed robbers, recovered 7 AK 47 rifles, 1 SMG, 3 pump action guns; 18 locally-made guns, 20 magazines, over 400 rounds of ammunition and 69 cartridges. Twenty-six (26) vehicles were also recovered. Some of these are available for your sighting.
vi.Cultism remains a hydra-headed monster. On 11th July 2015, at Agbonchia, Eleme, Cultists went on rampage and killed 5 persons at a motorcycle/car-wash location. Suspected cultists were arrested including the local kingpin. In Aggah Community, 16 suspected rival cultists were equally apprehended for involvement in violent crimes including murder and arson. On 20th July 2015, that is, yesterday, 16 cultists and prospective members were arrested at Anwunugbokor, in Ahoada while on initiation and ranking purposes. At Ubima Community in Ikwerre LGA, 6 suspected cultists were arrested, while 3 others were apprehended within Mgbeda/Egbema for murderous cult-related activities.

Some of the suspected cultists are here for your viewing. Within this period, about 74 cultists, including a native Doctor making charms for them, were arrested from different locations in the State. Offensive weapons and exhibits recovered from them include, one AK 47 rifle, one pump action gun, 3 locally made guns, an axe, twelve motorcycles and one car.
vii.The Anti-kidnapping Unit on 2/7/2015 intercepted a kidnap gang and rescued a female victim at Ogolokum Waterfront, in Abua. Two of the kidnappers were fatally injured during encounter with the Police, one AK 47 rifle with two magazines loaded with 10 rounds of 9.62mm ammunition and two locally-made pistols were recovered from them. A similar feat was achieved on 6/7/2015, when another AK 47rifle with 5 rounds of 9.62mm ammunition and locally-made pistol was recovered from another gang who were traced to Umolu-gi Aluu waterfront. On 20/7/2015 at about 0020hrs, one victim kidnapped on 5/7/2015 was rescued; the four kidnappers were arrested with two pump-action guns and five cartridges. Within this review period, the AKU recovered/recorded 2 AK 47 rifles, 5 locally-made guns, 2 pump-action and 2 Dane guns. Seven victims were rescued, while 8 suspects arrested and 5 injured/killed during encounters.
viii. On 9/7/2015, two female students of Community Secondary School, Ihuaba, Ahoada were abducted while returning from School by two armed men. They were eventually rescued and one Owuze Ogbuluka ‘m’ a native of the same Ihuaba Community was arrested for masterminding the kidnap and he has confessed to the crime.
ix.The Command’s interaction between some Communities hosting AGIP facilities helped to douse the situation from escalating. Meanwhile investigation continues into the cases involving explosions at 3 storage tanks and the alleged pollution therefrom.

7.These modest achievements are the result of collaboration and support from the Government and good people of the State but, despite these, challenges abound. These include elevation of cultism as the platform for gaining relevance or notoriety; loss of communal values; multiple agitations for leadership positions within Communities, youth associations etc; vandalization/attack on vital pipelines; indifference of members of the public to crime reporting; inflow of hardcore criminals from outside the State as well as proliferation of firearms, including locally fabricated ones using regular ammunition meant for rifles.

8.For us to overcome, we must work together, especially in support of Police efforts to curb crime and promote peace. We have noted within this assessment period, that the crime trend across the State differs. Armed robbery and kidnapping are more prevalent in Port Harcourt City: cultism is a major feature within ONELGA, Eleme, and fringe Communities to Port Harcourt; communal crises are common around Bori Area Command encompassing several LGAs; Ahoada Area Command has a blend of all. In a nutshell, we have a collective burden and responsibility.
9.As part of measures to assure Corpers of their safety, I have directed all Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) to provide 24/7 security coverage for all Corpers’ Lodges across the State. The Police will continue to provide adequate security coverage to the general public, with emphasis on critical economic assets and other State structures.
10.I must express appreciation to His Excellency the Governor of Rivers State Chief Barr. Nyesom Wike CON for his support and that of the State Government to Police efforts since I arrived Port Harcourt. The citizenry must key into this. Expectations from all of us are high; we must remain committed and focused. Let me also commend my officers and men for the great sacrifices they are making. We must sustain the gains of this operation otherwise it will be an exercise in futility.
11.I must say with pride that the Emergency on Anti-Crime is working, more Policemen are now on the road; response time has improved tremendously; Operation Keep Moving is proving to be a success. We will not stop or be complacent, the march is on and we must deliver on our promise to make Rivers State peaceful, secure and safe.

Thank you.


SUMMARY OF ACHIEVMENTS RECORDED IN THE COMMAND FROM 1ST JULY, 2015 TO DATE:
SARS:
No. of suspects arrested: 45
No. of Robbery suspects injured/killed in action: 11
No. of Firearms Recovered: 7 AK47 Rifles; 2 Assault Rifles; 1 SMG; 3 Pump Action Guns; 18 Locally made Guns; 20 different Magazines and; 3 battle axes. Total= arms 31,
20 magazines and 3 battle axes recovered.
No. of Ammunition Recovered: 353 rounds of 7.62mm; 41 rounds of 5.56 mm; 74 rounds of .9mm and 69 cartridges. Total = 537
No. of Vehicles Recovered: 15 different Toyota cars;4 Hyundai; 1 Mazda; 3 Honda; 1 Volkswagen; 1 Ford and 1 Mitsubishi. Total= 26 vehicles


ANTI-KIDNAPPING UNIT:
No. of Kidnapping suspects arrested. 8
No. of suspects injured/killed in action 5
No. of Firearms Recovered 2 AK47 Rifles; 4 Locally made Guns; 2 Dane Gun; 1 Locally made Double Barrel Gun and 2 Pump Action Guns.
No. of Ammunition Recovered 10 Rounds of 7.62 mm; 6 Rounds of .9mm; 57.62mm and 5 Cartridges.
No. of Victim Rescued 7


ANTI-CULTISM UNIT:
No. of Cultist suspects arrested. 74
No. of Firearms Recovered 1 AK47 Rifle;2 Locally made gun;1 Locally made Revolver Pistol; 1 Pump Action Gun and1 Axe.
No. of Ammunition Recovered 6 live Cartridges.
No. of vehicles/1 Toyota Camry;
Motorcycles Recovered.8 Q-Link Motorcycles; 2 Daylong Motorcycles and 2 Lady’s Motorcycles.
Total= 1 car and 12 motorcycles recovered.
Cult Groups involved
1. Dey-Gbam = 30
2. Dey-well = 17
3. Iceland = 26
4. Vikings = 1

Burger01:
Post election criminals. Hold madam piss responsible for that