By Ebinum Samuel
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Samuel Etaifo Erale, has begun a familiarisation tour of police formations and engagements with key stakeholders following his assumption of duty as the State’s 25th Commissioner of Police. As part of the tour, he paid a courtesy visit to His Royal Majesty, Obi (Prof.) Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge, SAN, OON, the Asagba of Asaba, where issues on cultism, drug abuse, and land dispute were discussed. The CP also visited the Asaba Area Command, where he interacted with officers and men on discipline and professional conduct.
According to the Command’s image maker, SP Edafe Bright, during the engagements, the CP emphasised the importance of credible and timely information in intelligence gathering and crime prevention. He urged residents to report suspicious activities, assuring them that information received would be properly assessed and acted upon. He, however, warned against deliberately providing false or malicious information to implicate innocent persons, stressing that such conduct could attract prosecution. The CP also expressed concern over the growing menace of drug abuse among youths, describing it as a threat to the nation’s future workforce and calling for collective efforts to address the problem.
The Commissioner of Police also reaffirmed that no police officer, regardless of rank, has the authority to violate the fundamental rights of citizens, just as police personnel are equally entitled to the protection of their lawful rights. Furthermore, he urged members of the public to refrain from self-help and jungle justice, warning vigilante groups against operating illegal detention facilities and directing that arrested suspects be promptly handed over to the nearest police station.
CP Samuel E. Erale, psc, mnips, charged officers to prioritise intelligence-led policing, discipline, accountability and respect for human dignity. He also assured command’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property, safeguarding fundamental human rights and delivering professional, responsive and people-oriented policing.
