Easter Holiday Delays Arraignment Of Ozoro Festival Suspects

The arraignment of the suspects arrested in connection with the recent Ozoro festival incident has been deferred to next week owing to Easter break.

The commissioner of police, Mr John Oyeniyi, had announced on Wednesday that the suspects would be in court this week, following the completion of legal processes.

It was not considered that the federal government would declare Friday and Monday public holidays as a result of Easter celebration by Christians nationwide.

According to him, the case file has been forwarded to the command’s legal department for vetting, a prerequisite for prosecution.

“The case file has been sent to the legal department for vetting, and hopefully they will complete the process this week. The suspects involved will be charged to court accordingly,” Oyeniyi stated.

Beyond this case, the police chief used the briefing to outline a broader security strategy aimed at addressing persistent threats across Delta State, emphasising that the protection of lives and property remains the command’s top priority.

Oyeniyi identified kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, and drug abuse as major drivers of insecurity in the state, promising a more proactive and coordinated response.

He particularly described drug abuse as a foundational problem fueling other crimes, pledging to target major suppliers and criminal networks.

“The state faces security challenges, and our duty is to address these challenges while maintaining peace and order. My leadership would focus on consolidating gains while confronting emerging threats with renewed clarity.”

He revealed plans to overhaul the coordination of tactical units within the command, stressing that all teams would be properly supervised and aligned with the Nigeria Police Force’s overall policing strategy.

“My objective is to eliminate duplication of duties, enhance accountability, and ensure that all tactical deployments are intelligence-driven and result-oriented,” he explained.

“We are going to tackle drug issues from the roots and go after the kingpins. Drug is the mother of all crimes. It gives other crimes the impetus to continue,” he declared.

In a stern warning to officers, the commissioner reiterated that indiscipline and human rights violations would not be tolerated under his watch.

“There will be no tolerance for indiscipline, abuse of human rights, and unprofessional conduct, both on and off duty. All officers will be accountable for their actions and must operate within the ambit of the law,” he said.

He stressed that discipline, professionalism, and respect for the rule of law are “non-negotiable” expectations for all personnel.

Oyeniyi said the Command would shift towards a more preventive policing model, including increased officer visibility in communities, improved intelligence gathering, and closer collaboration with residents.

“We will focus on preventing crime, not just reacting to it,” he said, noting that collective responsibility is key to achieving lasting peace.

The commissioner also acknowledged the media’s role in shaping public awareness and pledged to maintain a constructive relationship moving forward.

He pledged to strengthen partnerships with the state government, other security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders, and youth groups to enhance security outcomes.