Rights Activist To Delta PPRO: It’s A Derogatory Remark To Say Calls To Tighten Security Are Exaggerations

By Precious Okwa

Comr. (Amb) Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen, National Coordinator, Initiative for Social Rights Concerns And Advancements (ISRCA) AKA, “No Justice, No Peace,” has faulted a statement credited to the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, in the state, SP Bright Edafe where he described the security complaints in the state as exaggerated.

Agberen while commending the Commissioner Of Police, CP Olufemi Surajudeen Abaniwonda, for his unwavering support in the fight against crime and other societal challenges, to ensure to the safety of the peace of all Deltans, opined that it was completely out of place and disrespectful for the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer(PPRO), SP Bright Edafe, to address the insecurity challenges faced by Deltans as mere exaggeration.

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Adding that a call for a state of emergency ought to be declared in those areas so as to instill hope on the people.

He said: “In a comment made on his twitter handle, where a resident in the State had mentioned him on a post, naming the areas where kidnappings and other crimes have continued to strive by unsuspecting persons or group of organized criminals. Despite the efforts by the Police to curb these excesses in the State, the issues of kidnappings keeps striving. It is now on a daily basis.

“The people in these areas can no longer live in their homes, as kidnappings have now been brought to the doorsteps of commuters, unlike before. The people can no longer continue their daily routine and are being forced to return home early, relocate outside their homes because of this trending situation. Just over the weekend, we saw on a trending video, how a young man was killed by suspected kidnappers along Agbarho. Also, the both legs of a lady who was also a passenger on the bus; was shot and disfigured, as it affected the bones, where other passengers in the same bus were abducted into the bushes and probably, they’ll pay huge funds as ransom or probably gets killed for not being able to meet their demands.

“As the image maker to the Police Command; would the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer(PPRO); SP Bright Edafe deny these reoccurrences and why say exaggeration? Just over the night, the unit commander of the Hunters, a security outfit in the State was killed in a gun duel with suspected Fulani herdsmen, whom are the first suspects to these atrocious crimes against humanity. No doubts, a great numbers of Delta residents/none indigenes are also parts of the syndicate but we must not underestimate informations given by the vulnerable members of the public as exaggerations.”

According to him, “if such statements could come from the Command’s PPRO, this simply means that the people are in great danger, as nothing may likely be done about the trending issues of kidnappings and armed robbery in the State, saying “it’s disheartening to hear.”

Continuing, he said “this should be a time to establish cordial relationships with the people, as the people are more likely to assist the Police with useful and classified informations, that will boast security operations in the State, declaring a State of emergency in those areas; Orerokpe, Egbo Uhurhie community, Uvwiamuge Community, E.C.N. to Jeremi Junction, Ekrerhavwe Community Roads to Isiokolo, Sapele Express way to Ologbo Community, Agbarho/Ughelli Express-Way and some parts of Otokutu Community.

“A lot of the Delta State Police command operatives are mostly seen in the Federal(Major) roads, extorting people in disguise of stop and search. Some even go as far as planting hard-drugs in the vehicles of suspected yahoo boys, in the bid to extort and exploit them. They should be deployed to these areas or in a collaborative way, through the Delta State Government, should get the military involved in the protection of human lives and property, as the Delta State Government’s Security Outfit; Delta Hawk have also failed their roles. We could see them during the day and at night, on strategic spots, just seeking for young people driving flashy cars, where they could milk out good monies for their welfare since the government has also failed in prioritizing the welfare of security officers,” he concluded.

“Where do our hopes even lie?” he quizzed.

Meanwhile, the police spokesman when contacted said his reply to the post was being blown out of proportion.

Meanwhile, in the said X response, he wrote: “It is true that we had some issues, but it is being exaggerated, honestly.”