PH Mundial – Port Harcourt Online Newspaper News across the Niger Delta
Related Articles
…Harps on Collaboration with Stakeholders
By Amos Odhe
The newly deployed Commissioner of Police in Bayelsa State, CP Ajao Saka Adewale, has formally assumed duty, vowing to wage a decisive war against cultism, armed robbery, maritime crimes, illegal firearms, drug trafficking and other forms of criminality in the state.
CP Adewale, who takes over from AIG Iyamah Daniel Edebor after his elevated to the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police, arrived the Bayelsa State Police Command headquarters in Yenagoa on Wednesday and immediately outlined his policing agenda to journalists.
In his maiden address, the CP assured residents of his commitment to quality service delivery, protection of lives and property, and the maintenance of law and order through professional and responsive policing.
He acknowledged that Bayelsa’s predominantly riverine terrain and extensive waterways present unique security challenges, but insisted that the Command under his leadership would adopt proactive strategies to tackle emerging threats.
The new CP listed his key priorities to include cultism, armed robbery, maritime crimes, illegal firearms, drug offences, oil bunkering, pipeline vandalism and other organized criminal activities that threaten the peace and economy of the state.
“Given the State’s riverine nature, marine and waterways security will be prioritised through patrols, intelligence operations, and collaboration with the Armed Forces and maritime stakeholders,” CP Adewale stated.
The CP said his operational strategy will be intelligence-driven, proactive, and anchored on robust community engagement and effective multi-agency collaboration. He added that there will be zero tolerance for crime and misconduct within and outside the Force.
He directed officers and men of the Command to decisively tackle pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, illegal refining activities and other acts of economic sabotage in line with the Inspector-General of Police’s policy of “giving trust back to the community.”
“Protection of oil and gas infrastructure will be strengthened through partnerships with relevant agencies, operators, and host communities,” he said, stressing that such collaboration is critical to safeguarding national assets and the state’s economy.
CP Adewale further disclosed that the Command will strengthen intelligence gathering, crime mapping and analysis to identify crime hotspots and dismantle criminal networks. He said targeted operations will focus on cultists, kidnappers, armed robbers, pirates and drug traffickers.
“We will also dismantle their leadership, funding, and logistics networks. Our focus is not only to respond to crime but to prevent and disrupt it before it occurs,” the CP added. He promised increased high-visibility policing, rapid response, and intelligence-based patrols in crime-prone areas across the eight local government areas.
On inter-agency relations, the police boss said operational coordination, intelligence sharing and joint responses with the Armed Forces, sister security agencies and other stakeholders would be deepened to block criminal movement across state borders.
A major highlight of his address was the emphasis on community policing. CP Adewale noted that security is a collective responsibility and cannot be achieved by the Police alone.
“We shall deepen partnerships with traditional institutions, community leaders, youth and women groups, religious organisations, the private sector and the media,” he said. He added that involving community leaders in security architecture will enhance trust and early warning mechanisms.
The CP also warned police personnel against acts of extortion, human rights violations and unprofessional conduct. He said accountability and discipline will be enforced to rebuild public confidence in the police.
CP Adewale’s mission, he said, is to enhance public safety, combat crime proactively, build trust and confidence, and promote professionalism within the Command.
He takes over at a time when Bayelsa continues to battle with cult-related violence, sea piracy and crude oil theft. Stakeholders have expressed optimism that his riverine policing experience and community-focused approach will yield positive results for the state.
