It is painful and regrettable that we do not learn from history and we continue to do the same thing year in year out and expect to get a different result. In terms of management of security some of our security forces have failed and we treat everything with kid gloves.
It is time we tell ourselves the truth concerning the issue of security in our country. It is no longer news that the present administration in Delta State has done well in the area of logistics for the different security outfits in the State; the Police, the Army etc.
In 2021 the present administration donated 35 pick-up vans to the Nigeria police, Delta State command to enhance its operations in the state while the army command in Asaba was given some armored vehicles to enhance security in the State. Governor Okowa’s magnanimity to these security agencies is to ensure that the State is adequately protected so that the citizens could go about their businesses without fear of molestation or deadly attacks.
The State government also set up its own security outfit which it codenamed Delta hawk. All geared towards ensuring security of lives and properties.
It is therefore very pertinent that the security agents should not let Delta State and Deltans down by nipping security issues in the bud instead of waiting for it to happen. So far they have done well because Delta is relatively peaceful compared to some other states where banditry is the order of the day. However, there are still a lot to be done and many unwholesome things to be corrected.
Recently I discovered that the police in Delta State have particular days that they mount road blocks or patrol on certain routes and there are roads that you would not find them at all. If the duty of the police is to maintain law and order and to fight crime, then they should be seen in areas that are prone to crime and criminal activities, but the reverse is the case.
For more than two months I have plied some routes within Oshimili and Aniocha axis of Delta State and I was disappointed by what I discovered. I was in Ugbolu on one market day and the journey that was supposed to take less than twenty minutes took me almost one hour because of police check points along the road. Though I was not happy at the initial stage because of the delay but on a second thought I welcomed the idea believing that it would help check criminality and banditry on that route. However, I later changed my mind after I visited Ugbolu on a non market day and found no single police check point on that route. When I discussed with some residents of Ugbolu they told me that police only mounts road blocks on market days to extort money from drivers bringing market people and goods to the market and after that you will not find them again.
Recently, there was an incident along that route where a truck driver was killed and some trucks burnt by suspected unknown gunmen. The question is, where were the police on the day of the incident? Why do we always show mercy after death?
If police personnel were there as they used to do on Ugbolu market days, probably that incident would have been prevented. Again on ordinary days, we have more than five police check points between Asaba and Issele Uku, but unfortunately every Monday or any day that Nnamdi Kalu is going to court, you will not find any police check point along that route. Recently, I was on that route from Asaba to Issele Uku. Coincidentally it was on Monday and the road was devoid of police presence, even the main check point between Issele- Azagba and Otulu was deserted by personnel of the Customs, Road Safety and police. So one begins to wonder if the work of the police is to beef up security at critical periods of security tension or to disappear and come back thereafter to check vehicle particulars.
Again, there are routes that are known to be dangerous and requires police constant patrol, but you cannot find a single police man on those routes. There is the Issele –Azagba, Otulu, Ubulu Okiti and Issele Uku old road. There is also the Ubulu Uku to Issele Uku old road. The State police Commissioner should look into this matter to avoid saying ‘saying we’re on top of the matter when the deed has been done’ and when it should have been prevented. A stitch in time saves nine. Let us look for the black goat when it is still day because when night comes it takes the colour of the night.
