Shun Nocturnal Meetings – Fubara Tells New Rivers Police Boss

Rivers State Governor, Siminialayi Fubara, has advised the newly deployed Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, to avoid partisan politics and shun nocturnal meetings aimed at destabilizing the state.

Fubara spoke while receiving Adepoju in Government House, Port Harcourt on Friday.

The governor said Adepoju’s role in the state is maintaining law and order, protecting lives and properties, and working with the government and other security agencies to ensure the safety and security of Rivers State citizens.

Fubara said: “You are not new to our State. You have been here, especially in charge of operations. You said something that I would like to emphasize. Your duty, as it stands now, is to work with the government and other sister agencies to maintain law and order and protect the lives and properties of the people of Rivers State.

“Don’t be political; be apolitical, as you just read in your speech. Don’t attend nocturnal meetings in people’s houses at night and then, in the morning, come out and declare war in Rivers State. That is the only advice I will give to you”.

The Rivers governor attributed Adepoju’s new position to divine providence, rather than human influence.

“I use the term ‘special honour’ because it’s not about the people you know or who might claim they nominated or didn’t nominate you. At the end of the day, it is only what God wants that happens”.

He added: “If you leave a bad record here, it will one day affect your growth in the course of your profession. We will not ask you to do anything unprofessional. I have never done that before, and I will not do it in your time.

“However, I appeal to you to just be a professional police officer, as you have stated here. Let me also assure your team that your predecessors succeeded because of our support, and we also want you to succeed so that the peace we are enjoying in this state will continue.

“You are not a greenhorn here; you already know the terrain. You’ve been operating here. The major challenges we have presently are issues of cultism and kidnapping, especially in the outskirts of town.

“Come with your own plan, and we will give you all the necessary support to ensure these particular crimes are quelled. These are the two areas I would like you to focus on”.

On his part, Adepoju expressed his appreciation for Fubara’s leadership and hospitality. He pledged to work tirelessly and collaboratively to ensure the safety, security, and peace of every citizen in Rivers, acknowledging the complex security challenges in the state.