The upsurge of sophisticated weapons in River State may be connected to the rising criminal activities being witnessed in the state.

The state police boss disclosed this yesterday in Port Harcourt during a visit by the police management team to the State Resident Electoral of Commissioner (REC), Aniedi Ikoiwak, in Port Harcourt.

Rivers State new Commissioner of Police, Francis Mobolaji Odesanya, pointed out that there was a serious security challenge in the state just like other states in the country, but assured the residents that the police were battle ready to sustain the existing peace, even during the yet-to-be scheduled rerun elections.

According to him: “Police have always been on ground. Police have always been ready for elections. We are on the ground and the state is secured.

“The problem here is the issue of proliferation of arms. What is happening in Rivers is also happening in other states. But, the problem of Rivers State is that they have sophisticated weapons. So, my primary assignment is to mop up arms. We must mop up arms; we have started. We have been recovering arms”.

On the burning of INEC office in Bori, Khana Local Government Area of the state, Odesanya noted that investigations were on to fish out the perpetrators, vowing that they must face the wrath of the law when arrested.

In his remarks, the REC, Ikoiwak, explained that, the postponement of the rerun elections, billed for Saturday, July 30, was tentative, adding that consultations with stakeholders were ongoing on a new date for the said election.

He expressed joy on the assurance of the state police boss to making security of lives and property a priority.