The Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the recently appointed commissioner of police, Olugbenga Adepoju, with the responsibility of addressing the state’s urgent cultism and kidnapping issues.
Governor Fubara made this statement at Government House in Port Harcourt during a courtesy visit by the Commissioner of Police and top State Police Command officials.
To avoid escalating political tensions in the state, the governor reportedly cautioned Adepoju against going to “nocturnal meetings.”
Governor Fubara urged him to use his in-depth familiarity with the area to combat crime since he has held several positions in Rivers State.
The charge follows a horrifying event in Eleme Local Government Area when a Dutch expatriate employed by the state government, his driver, and security personnel died after their car crashed into a river while they were allegedly escaping an abduction attempt.
Adepoju, who became the 47th Commissioner of Police on January 4, responded by promising to improve information collection and reaction systems to fight crime.
He also gave the governor his word that he would carry out his responsibilities in a nonpartisan manner.
His prior responsibilities include his role as Officer in Charge of Operations during the contentious State House of Assembly incident in 2023, where water cannons were used to obstruct the governor’s visit to the facility.
