Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, yesterday commissioned four Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) and five other operational vehicles refurbished by the State Police Command with a charge to politicians not to politicise security matters.

The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Prof. Amos Utuama, SAN, restated that security remains a priority of his administration. He said that police officers require the right tools and gadgets and other forms of encouragement to fight crime.

His words: “When it comes to security, all of us must sink our political differences and rise in one voice against crime and criminality. As patriots, we have to always bury our differences, whatever that may be, when serious national challenges like the ones in certain parts of the country arise, because we have no other country we can call our own.”

Uduaghan assured Deltans that the state is prepared to confront security challenges at all times as peace and security is one cardinal points in his administration agenda. He noted that the state since his assumption of office in 2007 has given out 110 vehicles, including two armoured personnel carriers, to the State Police Command.

While commending the efforts of security agents in the state in fighting crime, he urged the Nigeria Police to develop a maintenance culture of not only their vehicles and offices but also to demonstrate transparency in all their activities by been able to point out any bad egg, no matter how highly placed in their midst.

The governor appealed to members of the public to always provide reliable information about criminals to security agents at all time, advising that the task of crime fighting should not be left for the police alone.

“Criminals live with us, so we should provide information about them to complement the efforts of the security agents,” he said.

Police Commissioner, CP, Ikechukwu Aduba, in his welcome address said though the state is a flash point, the assistance from the government and people of Delta State has helped the police a lot in combating crime.

While asserting that the refurbished vehicles will go a long way in enhancing crime fighting, he noted that police cannot succeed without the tacit support of members of the public. Aduba added that the command has won a lot of awards both at the local and international levels and assured Deltans that with the personnel and refurbished APCs on ground, crime fighting will be total. He, therefore, warned criminals to relocate or face the wrath of the command, adding that no stone will be left unturned to sustain the existing peace in state.

Among the dignitaries that graced the occasion were three members of the state executive council, namely, Chief Paulinus Akpeki, Commissioner for Housing; Mr. Frank Omare, Commissioner for Environment; Mr. New-World Safugha, Commissioner for Local Government Affairs.

•Photo shows Delta State Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama, SAN, cutting the tape to commission the Armoured Personnel Carriers yesterday in Asaba. With him is the State Commissioner of Police, Ikechukwu Aduba.

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