The newly appointed Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, CP Olugbenga Adepoju Adewole, has declared that judging from his wealth of policing experience, he has what it takes to keep Rivers State safe.

The police commissioner also pledged to make the safety, security, and well-being of citizens, residents, and visitors his top priority.

Speaking during his assumption of duty at the Police Command on Friday, Adewole acknowledged the unique security challenges facing the state, including kidnapping, cultism, armed robbery, oil bunkering, communal clashes, and violent crimes.

He noted that the state’s position as one of the nation’s economic hubs makes it vulnerable to security threats.

He said: “I have been the Deputy Commissioner of Police Operations, and I have served in several capacities in this Police Command. I had been DPO Mile One; I was Commander SOS at a time, and I think I have what it takes to keep the command safe. And that is what I will do.”

To address these challenges, Adewole stated that he would strengthen intelligence gathering by collaborating with communities, traditional institutions, and security agencies to proactively prevent crimes.

He also emphasised the importance of community policing and public engagement, saying that he would work to rebuild trust between the police and the public through professionalism and respectful interactions.

The new state police boss also vowed to enforce discipline within the police ranks and hold officers accountable for misconduct, adding that he would ensure zero tolerance for corruption.

He further stated that he would intensify efforts against cult-related activities and partner with the youth and civil society to promote peace.

Adewole also pledged to work with relevant agencies to dismantle criminal networks in the oil industry, combat oil theft and environmental crimes, and improve response times and maintain regular patrols in crime-prone areas.