Police Commissioner Warns Personnel Against Extortion, Excesses In Delta

The commissioner of police in Delta State, Yemi Oyeniyi, has warned officers in the command against all forms of extortion, unprofessional conduct and operational excesses.

He gave the warning in Asaba yesterday at a strategic security briefing with area commanders, tactical commanders, personnel of the State Intelligence Department (SID) and women police officers drawn from the nine area commands across the state.

The briefing was part of ongoing efforts to strengthen operational effectiveness, enhance intelligence gathering and deepen police-community relations in line with the policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, Rilwan Olatunji Disu.

In his address, the commissioner emphasised the need for proactive, intelligence-led policing, noting that effective security management requires vigilance, coordination and strong collaboration with the public.

He charged officers to remain committed to their core mandate of protecting lives and property while upholding professionalism, discipline and respect for human rights.

He further reiterated the command’s zero tolerance for extra-judicial actions, directing that all suspects must be treated in accordance with the law and, where found culpable, be promptly charged to court.

Officers were therefore urged to maintain a balance between firmness and fairness by adopting a professional approach that reflects policing with a human face.

“Policing is a service to the people. The conduct of officers, particularly in their interactions with members of the public, remains central to building trust and encouraging cooperation,” he said.

On operations, the commissioner underscored the importance of sustained visibility policing through regular patrols and timely response to incidents, noting that active police presence remains a key deterrent to crime.

He also emphasised the need for officers to identify early warning signs and take proactive steps to prevent criminal activities. In the same vein, intelligence personnel were tasked with providing timely, credible, and actionable information to support operations and enhance public safety across the State.

In preparation for the Easter period, the commissioner directed adequate deployment of personnel to churches and other places of worship to ensure a peaceful and hitch-free celebration.