By Chibuike Nwabuko
Rivers State Governor, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has called on the Police to focus on their constitutional responsibility of providing security.
According to a statement made by Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant to the Governor on Electronic Media, sent to Sundiata Post , Wike made this call when the new Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Zaki Ahmed, paid him a visit at the Government House, in Port Harcourt on Friday.
He advised that the police should concentrate on the constitutional responsibility of providing security and allow politicians to play politics.
The governor who said that the the politicisation of Police operations in the state has been counterproductive in several respects, added that the police sabotaged the Rivers State Amnesty Programme because of political considerations.
According to him, “The Police instead of fighting crime has constituted itself into a political party. Everything for the police must be considered from a political viewpoint .
“A state like Rivers is key to Nigeria. Our national assets are here and that is why we always support security agencies “, he said.
The governor who tasked the police to reciprocate the investments made by his administration in their operations, noted that over 150 patrol vans have been handed over to the police since he assumed leadership.
He added that funds made available to the Police for communication gadgets in all 23 Local Government Areas and purchase of bullet proof vests, were not used by the force.
Wike who reiterated the state government’s continued support to the Police, called for professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
Earlier, the new Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Zaki Ahmed who appealed to the Rivers State Governor to support the police with logistics assured the governor that he will discharge his duties professionally.