The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has donated six gunboats to the Rivers State Police Command for effective policing of waterways in the state.
Presenting the gunboats to the state command in Port Harcourt yesterday, Egbetokun said he was moved by complaints by the people of Bonny over the rising cases of sea piracy and armed robbery along the waterways.
The IGP, who was represented by the deputy inspector general of police, Operations, Ali Mohammed Ali, said: “The office of the Inspector-General of Police was inundated with complaints from people of Bonny complaining of sea piracy armed robbery along the waterways.
“Consequently, the IGP decided that the gunboats be brought here to fight the menace of crime and criminality, in addition to other crime fighting outfits doing their job to keep the state clear and peaceful.
“Is only when we make the state safer that investors can come in and youth will be employed. The Nigerian marine domain is a major contributor to the economy of the nation.”
In his speech, Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, said Governor Siminalayi Fubara takes security matters very seriously.
Danagogo said: “We thank you for not sending another Police officer to do this work but sending one of our own. DIG Ali is qualified to be an indigene of the state.
“One thing I notice in Rivers State is that officers who come here and perform excellently always reach the top of their careers. We thank the IGP for this laudable initiative. It is a rare gesture. We heard about this when the maritime complained and sent letters to Abuja on issues of sea pirates.
“For the IGP to respond and send six gunboats to arrest the situation of sea piracy, is very commendable.
On behalf of the people of Rivers State, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the IGP and the President who enabled him.”
