Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has donated 20 patrol vans fitted with communication equipment to security agencies in the state.
The latest donation brings to 130 the number of security vans given out as the governor and the 23 local government areas of the state had, last year, released 110 units to security agencies operating in the state.
He also released bullet proof vests and helmets to the Rivers State Police Command, even as he facilitated the release of dedicated telephone lines to the police for quick and faster response to residents in distress.
Making the presentation of the security facilities to the state police command, Wike assured all security agencies operating in the state of his commitment to assisting them with the required logistics to perform.
Wike, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Government House, Mr Onyemachi Nwankwo, said the state government would continue to play its role in strengthening of the state security architecture.
This, the governor said, was to ensure that people of the state can continue to live peacefully and do their legitimate businesses and commended the police for enhancing the security of lives and property in the state.
Receiving the patrol vans, the state Commissioner of Police, Foluso Adebanjo, commended Governor Wike for responding to the demand for facilities that would help to nip crime in the bud.
He urged eminent people and the general public to cooperate with the police on the issue of providing useful information to enable the force reduce criminality in the state.
Also speaking, the chairman, Traditional Rulers Council of Rivers Sate and Amayanabo of Opobo Kingdom, King Dandyson Jaja, identified drug abuse as a major factor responsible for the increasing crime rate in the state.
The traditional ruler, therefore, called for collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to fight crime.
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