Security agencies in Rivers State have vowed to protect critical government assets, especially oil installations in and around the state, from criminal elements.
This is because they gave owners of unregistered vehicles with hidden plate numbers a seven-day ultimatum to register them, or they would be impounded.
The security agencies include the Nigerian Police, the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Air Force, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Department of State Service (DSS).
Addressing journalists in Port Harcourt yesterday on behalf of the agencies, the commissioner of police, Olugbenga Adepoju, said that since the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State and the appointment of a sole administrator, all the security agencies have been working as a team to ensure the safety of lives and property.
Adepoju commended the joint patrol team for diligently executing their assignment to support the mandate for a state of emergency in the state.
He disclosed that the joint security team recently thwarted an attempt by miscreants to vandalise the pipeline, which led to the death of vandals in the Aluu and Rumukpe communities in the Ikwerre and Emohua local government areas of the state, respectively.
The commissioner of police stated that eight male suspects were arrested and six kidnap victims rescued by the joint security operatives in the Ogba/Egbema/Andoni local government area of the state within the time under review.
Adepoju said two pump action guns, two local pistols, four local single-barrel guns, assorted ammunition and two motorcycles were recovered from the hoodlums.
He stated that another criminal operation targeting a pipeline was foiled in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA on March 16, 2025, when a suspect was arrested. He added that four dynamites and communication equipment were recovered.
The police chief said the Joint security team destroyed over 30 illegal refining sites and impounded thousands of litres of stolen oil products during the period under review.
Adepoju urged members of the public to provide security agencies with information concerning suspected criminals’ activities in their neighbourhoods.
He urged parents to warn their children against engaging in economic sabotage and other criminal conduct. He encouraged Rivers residents to use designated numbers to contact security operatives for quick responses when the need arises.
The police commissioner declared: “The safety of our environment is paramount to foster business growth. We remain resolute in maintaining law and order.
“We are fully prepared to carry out our responsibility with diligence. We have improved deployment of security operatives to curtail movement of criminals and illicit materials.
“A targeted enforcement will commence to impound unregistered number plates because such an issue can jeopardise security.
“The Rivers Police Command will collaborate with other agencies to ensure peace and safety in the state.”
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