Uduaghan makes case for state police

Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta, on Friday has reiterated for the creation of states police in order to effectively combat crime in the country.

Uduaghan made the call at the state government fourth quarterly meeting with traditional rulers held at the government’s house annex, Warri.

He said such state police may not have the power like the federal police but could handle trivial issues like disagreement between families and neighbours.

“The number of policemen in the country is not enough. There is need to have states police to compliment the existing one.

“Though they may not have the same power with their federal counterparts but should be able to hand minor issues in the states, ” he said.

Uduaghan urged the traditional rulers to work closely with the government to ensure a crime-free state.

He noted that the royal fathers were closer to their subject and should be able to monitor suspicious movement in their localities.

The governor said that the state had achieved a remarkable improvement in the fight against crime.

“We have successfully won the war against crude oil theft and piracy. We are working with the Federal Government to eradicate armed robbery.

“As royal fathers you must put all your effort to deal with the issue of insecurity in the state, ” he said.

The agenda of the meeting was focused on insecurity and polio meningitis.

The State Deputy Gov., Prof. Amos Utuama, commended the traditional rulers for mobilising their subjects in the recent polio immunisation exercise in the state.

Utuama said that the state had recorded polio free in the last four years.

“We should not relent on our oars because a lot of people comes into Delta daily to do business, it can come again, so we should not be carried away by the feat, “ he said.

The traditional rulers present commended the government and pledged to mobilise their subjects to participate in any immunisation exercise and other government programmes.