Critical stakeholders in Sapele under the ages of Concerned Sapele Residents, (CSR) have applauded the Police and other security agencies over their commitment to fighting crime in Sapele local government areas of Delta State.
The group also charged political leaders in the Sapele local government area to collaborate and support security agencies in the locality in tackling emerging security challenges in the famous timber town.
CRS said that the call for the support of the police and other security agencies has become necessary following an emerging global security concern, noting that Sapele as part of the global community is not insulated from criminal attacks, hence all stakeholders should support the efforts of the police in curbing crime in Sapele.
The groups stated these in a statement after a critical stakeholders meeting in Sapele on Wednesday, July 23, 2024.
They reasoned security is everyone’s business, noting that the task of policing a complex city like Sapele cannot be left in the hands of security agencies alone.
CSR commended the efforts of the Nigerian Police and the Nigerian Army who through operational efficiencies have mitigated the incidence of violent crime, particularly cultism, armed robbery and kidnapping in Sapele in the past two years.
Concerned Sapele Residents in a statement by its National Coordinator, Mazi Uguw Emenike, General Secretary, Comrade Moses Osadolo and its spokesman, Mr Oniovosa Etashime, explained that for residents to experience peace in Sapele, all stakeholders as a matter of urgency must support security agencies who daily put their lives on the lines with little or no motivation to ensure that we and our family are safe.
According to their statement: “Sapele has been one of the safest cities in Nigerians, thanks to the efforts of the Nigerian Police and the military personnel who for about two years now have kept cultists, armed robbers and kidnappers at bay in Sapele and its environs.
“We have one of the best-trained security personnel in Africa, but we must understand that our security agencies are overstretched on all fronts, and to compound their challenges, they are not well equipped, poorly motivated and founded to take on emerging security threats.
“So, we commend the modest efforts of our security agencies in Sapele and we want to encourage them to keep up their good work, however, there is room for improvement to confront emerging global security, and Sapele being part of the global community is not immune to pockets of attacks.
“To tackle the growing security threat which is not peculiar to Sapele or Delta State, all hands must be on deck, security is everyone’s business and as such it cannot be left for the government or the security agencies alone to handle.
“We are all aware that after every major election like the one of the 2023 general elections, there is always an upsurge in violent crime because some of the guns supplied by political gladiators to their supporters were not recovered which in most cases these boys whose bosses failed to settle now turn against innocent residents.
“So, we want to appeal to the political class in Sapele to put aside their political affiliations and support the efforts of the police and other security agencies to serve us better.
“Kidnappers and armed robberies don’t know whether you are an APC or PDP member when they strike. So, when there is a security challenge we as stakeholders should work for solutions rather than engage in blame game.
We should shun the temptations of playing politics with security because when it booms around, we don’t know who the victim would be. We the security agencies need now is our support and not unwarranted criticism.
“Therefore, we call on those in positions of authority in Sapele to assist security agencies with logistics, such as operational patrol vans, modern communication gadgets and other necessary tools that can enhance their operation, and not just stand aloof and criticise their operation without lending a helping hand.”