By Rita Enemuru, Reporting
THE Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Wale Abass, on Tuesday, warned residents of the state against jungle justice, describing it as a barbaric act.
He stated this in a press briefing while enumerating the achievements of the command between July and till date.
According to CP Abass, jungle justice increases the cycle of violence sabotaging the prospect of having the fundamental rights of the victims protected as victims are attacked based on frivolous allegations without being allowed access to fair hearings.
The commissioner stated that the Command would no longer put up with the violation of human rights in the name of jungle justice and that anyone caught doingwouldwill be found, expelled, and dealt with legally.
Enumerating the command’s achievements, CP Abass stated the command under his watch has not only rescued kidnapped victims and put criminals behind bars but has also made most parts of the state safe for residents.
He stated that 13 kidnappers, seven robbers, 72 cultists have been arrested so far, 54 firearms, 286 ammunition and 195 cartridges have been recovered and nine kidnapped victims rescued.
“I would wish to use this medium to warn our youth to desist from jungle justice. Apart from being an act of self-help, jungle justice is barbaric.
“It festers a circle of violence and lawlessness thereby sabotaging the prospect of having the fundamental human rights of the victims protected. In several instances, victims of self-help are attacked based on frivolous allegations without being allowed access to fair hearings.
“The Command will no longer tolerate this human rights abuse, as anyone who engages in such practice will be identified, fished out and dealt with by the law.
“The Command under my watch has since keyed into the vision and mission of the IGP. Part of my first major shake-up in the Command was the redeployment of the then DPO Ovwain Aladja to Ekpan owing to the combustive nature of that area. You will agree with me that Ekpan which used to be a troubled area is now very safe and residents can now go about their lawful businesses.
“In September 2023, I directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police Operations to embark on an on-the-spot assessment of the Jesse Road where kidnapping was gradually becoming the order of the day.
“Consequently, security strategies were reviewed culminating in the deployment of the DOPS Buffalo team, tactical teams and the Command’s Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber-Crime Squad to the area.
“The strategy paid out as within a few days of its emplacement, some suspected kidnappers were arrested while a good number of Assault rifles were recovered.
“Below is a summary of achievements of the command in numerical statistics:
No. of kidnappers arrested: 13
No. armed robbers arrested: 7
No of cultists arrested: 72
No of firearms recovered: 54
No of kidnapped victims rescued: 9
No of ammunition recovered: 286
No of cartridges recovered: 195
“I wish to use this opportunity to appreciate the State Government for its unwavering support to the Command, I also wish to commend the various sister security agencies for their continuous collaboration with the Command.
“My indebtedness also goes to residents who have continued to support the Command by providing us with useful, timely and credible information,” he stated.
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