*Gives three months’ matching order to criminals to surrender their weapons
AGBARHO – COMMITTED to making Ughelli Police Area Command free of crimes and social vices, the Ughelli police area commander, ACP Aliyu Shaba, has issued a three-month matching order to all criminals to relocate and those in possession of illegal arms to surrender them or face the wrath of the law.
ACP Shaba handed down the warning at the Agbarho Divisional Police Headquarters, Ughelli North local government area on Thursday during the official inauguration of the newly elected Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) Agbarho Division Executive Council.
While warning cultists and individuals in possession of illegal firearms to surrender their weapons within three months or risk being treated as common criminals, he assured that no criminal can escape his tracking. He cautioned against shielding cultists or illegal gun owners.
It would be recalled that his track record of how he recovered 11 AK-47 rifles and other assorted weapons during his tenure as DPO of Ekpan Police Station, he vowed to replicate the same in the Ughelli police command.
“Tell your children I am giving them three months to submit their weapons. If they refuse, I will go after them like common criminals. When it comes to tracking criminals, no one beats my record. Even if you drop your phone or remove your SIM cards, I will still track you down,” he declared.
He cautioned against lobbying for releasing an arrested suspected criminal while the investigation is ongoing, warning that such pleas could strain his respect for community leaders.
ACP described the visit as part of his routine on-the-spot assessment of police divisions, applauded the cordial relationship between the Agbarho Division and its host community, while calling for stronger collaboration between the police, President General (PG) of Agbarho, traditional institutions, and vigilante groups, to reduce crime to its barest minimum.
While highlighting the dangers of drug abuse among youths, he said, the command arrested a woman with hard drugs worth ₦80 million in Ughelli.
ACP Shaba called for collaboration with the Nigerian police to expose those engaged in the illicit drug trade, saying the police cannot win the fight against illicit drugs alone. Community information will remain confidential, but cooperation is vital,” he assured.
Earlier, the Divisional Police Officer of Agbarho, CSP Pius Eredei, highlighted the challenges faced by the Division, including manpower shortage, inadequate accommodation, vehicles, and operational tools.
The newly elected 18-man PCRC Agbarho Division Executive Council is: Pastor Kesiena Nomuoja (Chairman), Sir Mathias Akatugba (Vice Chairman), Barr. (Mrs.) Flora Fiyebo (Secretary), Mr. Lucky Ubuinoh (Deputy Secretary), and Mr. Benson Ejeghotan (Treasurer).
