…As Wike assures COVID-19 would not distract him from entrenching Security***
A collaboration between the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and the State Police Commissioner, Mustapha Dandaura has resulted in significant seizure of arms and ammunition.
An elated State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike while speaking on this at the Government House in Port Harcourt, according to a statement issued by the Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor, Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, also noted that the sting operation made the dreaded East-West Road safer.
He revealed that the sting operation resulted in the recovery of the following arms from the forest of Ogu/Bolo LGA:
- One GPMG No. NN-07-150
- Two G-3 rifles with breech No’s. 81- 85234 and 69090978
- One SMG rifle No. 19855
- One rocket launcher(RPG) rocket propelled grenade NW-07-150
- Five (5) Pump Action guns
- 933 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition
- 1,111 rounds of 5.56mm live ammunition
- 222 rounds of 9mm live ammunition
- 909 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition
- 74 rounds of .9mm live ammunition
- 728 live cartridges
- Four (4) AK 47 magazines
- Two (2) G-3 magazines
- One (1) SMG magazine
And a total number of 3, 249 ammunition / Cartridges, as shown by joint inspection of Governor Wike and the Service Commanders.
Said Wike: “I have made a vow that Rivers State must be safe. It is a duty that we are committed to carry out. We have no excuses to give”, adding that the focused battle against COVID-19 would not distract him from tackling criminals in the State.
“Coronavirus is a serious war. Then add this to the fight against insecurity and you understand that it is not easy for us. But we shall continue to work for the security and safety of our people.
“We don’t want anyone to politicise the issue of security. We also don’t want anyone to politicise the fight against coronavirus,” he said.
Governor Wike said that the weapons recovered by the police during their operation can dislodge Port Harcourt City. He wondered what the criminals were doing with sub machine gun and rocket grenade launchers.
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He said that operatives of Operation Sting were on the heels of a notorious Isiokpo Kidnapper, who will soon be apprehended and prosecuted.
“We give God the glory for keeping us safe in Rivers State even as we battle this coronavirus pandemic. Rivers State Government is working to keep our people safe, yet some criminals want to make the State insecure,” he said.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Police, Mustapha Dandaura commended the Rivers State Governor for his logistical support noting that it energised the security outfit to achieve the notable success.
He said that the Operation Sting initiated by Governor Wike has sanitised the hitherto troublesome East West Road, the Elele-Owerri Road and the Ogoni axis of the East West Road, making the state safer for residents and visitors.
Dandaura highlighted that the State Police Command recovered the arms from Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area, following credible intelligence. He said that the Kidnap syndicate hid the arms underground in the forest.
