Operation Restore Peace, ORS, was today launched in the South-South region in Port Harcourt.
The Operation launched by Acting Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, at the Sharks Stadium is expected to rid the state and South-South of the menace of gunmen.
According to Baba, criminal elements, especially the Indigenous People Of Biafra, IPOB, whose members have taken arms against the country by attacking the police, military and other institutions of government should be fought to stand still.
The Acting Police Chief had earlier visited Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State at Government House Port Harcourt where he expressed appreciation to the governor for the support his administration has been rendering to the police both material, logistics and cares to families of officers and men felled in line of duty both in the past and recently.
Governor Wike, in his response expressed regret about the inadequate budgetary allocation for the security agencies in Nigeria has not been given top priority.
He said most budgetary allocation were made for things that did not matter because issues and importance of security has not been taken seriously.
In his words, when government strengthened the intelligence capability of the police and other State apparatus, most crimes could be nipped in the bud.
Wike reiterated that his administration was poised to continue to support the Nigeria Police and other security agencies, that have been working tirelessly to secure lives and property in the State.
He explained that support given to slain officers of the Nigeria Army, Police and Nigeria Civil Defence and Safety Corp in the State was to boost their morale in the fight against crime and criminality.
The governor said he has consistently advised every Commissioner of Police posted to the state to dedicate their time to fighting crime, kidnapping and dissociate themselves from politics.
Speaking further, Governor Wike declared that Rivers State will not be part of any secessionist agenda and will not be deterred by nefarious activities of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
According to him, IPOB can pursue their aspiration elsewhere but leave Rivers State out of their activities.
The governor also charged the Acting IGP to make a difference, sanitise the police, fight criminality and create the required climate for the conduct of 2023 general election.
Baba said he was in the state for the launch of “Operation Restore Peace” in the South-South region of the country.
The IGP noted that lately some groups, including the IPOB had applied a rather brutish method in their agitations and killed security personnel, which will not be tolerated anymore