Katherine Abayomi.
The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, says the reduction of illegal oil bunkering to the barest minimum is the cause of the increase in kidnappings on Rivers waterways.
CP Adepoju revealed this on Tuesday,13th May 2025, in a meeting with stakeholders of Bonny LGA and service commanders in the state, comprising the Nigeria Army 6 Division Garrison, Nigeria Navy Ship Pathfinder, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, DSS, and Nigeria Airforce.
CP Adepoju, who represented the Sole Administrator of Rivers state, Vice Admiral(rtd) Ibok-Ete Ibas, in the meeting, also revealed that the Police is working in synergy with other sister security agencies to ensure the halting of kidnappings on waterways.
“The waterways Is a peculiar terrian.You need a specialist to be able to navigate on that water.So Those that are going to work around here effectively must be trained like the marine, work in synergy with the Navy,is what will are doing now.
“We notice that,since the illegal bunkering reduced to the bearest minimum they dont have any business again, they are going into kidnapping.
“We have up our games.I can assure you, that in a few time,it will be a thing of the past.Security is everybody’s business,is not for one man alone.
“If we send operatives to this area and they dont know the terrian, you dont work with them,they cannot achieve.Often time you say you need security, you are the security.without you,there cant be security.
“You will tell them,how you want your area to be policed, give them credible information.
“You have to mention names of people committing these crimes to security agencies.If you dont talk, the security.operatives will not be able to do anything.That is why working together is very important,that is why we are here.
“The LGA Administrator is there,whatever that is bordering the community,he needs to know.Most of the things you are saying here,he has a role to play.
“The king (King of Bonny) has been trying. He needs your support. Only then will all of you speak in one voice and get everything done.
“Kidnapping is not what will be be discusseded here. We are very careful about the kidnapping issue,because if you go too hard,they may kill the person(victim). But at the time they are doing that, we try to see how will can get them,we have been arresting them.
“Last two weeks, we arrested one notorious kidnapper and his gang.They operate on water, We traced them to Bayelsa and he was arrested there.
“When they kidnap,they run away with the person,they may no be arrested immediately, there is a way we may push so hard, they may kill the person
*Sometimes too,the family does not want to involve the security agencies because they fear the kidnappers may kill the person.
“But through information,we are making success.The kidnapping on waterways is a new trend that is raising its ugly head but we doing alot to ensure we tackle it.
“Security is everybody’s business.If you see something,say something,it will help alot .Let us work together to solve this problem,so that we can sleep with our two eyes closed.The kidnap issue will are working on it.It is not what you rush.I believe in no time, we will get go the root.
“We have replica of all the security in the state in the LGA.Work with the LGA Administrator and the security operatives”, CP Adepoju said
