Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has advised partisan police officers who abandon their core professional responsibilities to pursue vested political interests to know that the enmity they fuel and eventually create will hurt them in the long run.
Governor Fubara maintained that police officers are engaged and trained as professionals to protect lives and property while contributing to the desired peace in the State as a patriotic duty.
The Governor insisted that it is, therefore, an aberration for any of them to think that protecting any particular individual or being one-sided in the political affairs to the detriment of the State amounts to professionalism.
Governor Fubara gave the advice at the inauguration and formal handover of 100 operational vehicles acquired by his administration to the Rivers State Police Command at the Sharks Football Stadium in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
The Governor said: “I need to say this, so that you will understand. When you (Disu) came into Rivers State, and I had my encounter with you, I requested for only one thing: That I will never ask you to do what is wrong, so do what is right. Protect the lives and property of Rivers people. Don’t be partisan.
“We have seen those people that were partisan; how they ended. And, I am saying it here, to every one of you that is an officer that is being partisan: you will see how you will end.
“So, work in such a way that when your name is mentioned in this State, or your children come to this State, you won’t be scared. This is important.”
Governor Fubara urged them to forget about the current ongoing political anxiety in the State, because, according to him, nothing will last forever.
He charged them to conduct their operations as real professionals that have been so trained so that they can be effective in the responsibility of protecting lives and property of people in Rivers State.
Governor Fubara said: “It is not to protect any individual. It is not to be one-sided in the political affairs of the State. Politics will come and it will go.
“The enmity you are creating, for those of you that are partisan, will live with you forever. So, I want to advise you, I have said it before, and I am saying it again: I will never ask any of you to do what is wrong. My appeal is: stand on the ethics of your profession, protect lives and property of Rivers people. Be fair to all.”
Commenting on the donated vehicles, Governor Fubara said it is an achievement of the Commissioner of Police whose idea it was to make such operational vehicles available for his Command.
Governor Fubara explained that what he had originally planned was to provide very high-profile vehicles to all the security agencies in the State to enhance their operational capabilities much more.
He said: “But, the CP advised that he did it sometime in Lagos State; that we should adopt that model by acquiring these vehicles you are seeing here: the Toyota Sienna, Camry and Collora, and I bought into the idea.
“And why are we doing this? We discovered that the response time to crime scenes; launching attacks against acts of criminality, were slow because you (police) lack mobility.
“And what we just did was a first phase of support to the Nigerian Police. We also intend to come again to give you other sophisticated vehicles to support what you are doing,” the Governor added.
Governor Fubara assured that as a State Government, his administration will continue to support the police because, as he put it, they are worthy friends to have since criminals cannot be friends to covet.
He emphasised: “So, we need to accommodate you. We need to tolerate you. We need to work with you so that at the end, people can live freely, move freely, and do their businesses freely in Rivers State.
“My Honourable CP, like I said before privately, I am saying it again: I want to appreciate you. We will give you all the support to succeed. I will give you all the support that will help to build your name into better reckoning when you leave here. I am very sure God will elevate you positively,” he added.
In his opening remarks, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, described the event as a significant milestone in the ongoing commitment towards achieving safety and security of the State.
CP Disu expressed gratitude to Governor Fubara for his unwavering support to the State Command of the Nigerian Police Force, which has translated in their dedication to serving the welfare of the various communities.
He said: “I stand before you filled with gratitude as we gather to commission these 100 vehicles, a generous donation from our esteemed Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara.
“This act of generosity, not only enhances our operational capacity, but also reflects your deep concern for the citizens of the State.
“These vehicles will empower our officers, enabling them to respond more swiftly and effectively to emergencies, and enhance our community policing efforts. With your support Sir, we are reinforcing our resolve to combat crime and uphold the rule of law.”
CP Disu, on behalf of the entire Rivers State Police Command, thanked Governor Fubara for his unparalleled leadership, and commitment to good governance in the State.
He assured that, together, the Police Force will continue to work tirelessly, and perform its professional duties in keeping Rivers State safe and secured for everybody.