Olubenga Adewale Adepoju has officially assumed office as the new Commissioner of Police, Rivers State command.
This is following the promotion of the outgoing CP Mustapha Mohammed Bala as an Assistant Inspector General of Police, deployed to Zone 6, Calabar.
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The handover ceremony was held on Thursday, at the Police Officers’ Mess, Old GRA, Port-Harcourt.
Bala charged residents of the state to support the new CP to succeed.
He also urged officers and stakeholders to prioritize peace and extend their unwavering support to the incoming leadership.
The outgone CP who was deployed to the state on October 6, 2024, and recently promoted to AIG has been deployed to Zone 6, Calabar.
In his address, Bala noted that promotion was not a right but a privilege and stressed the need for police officers to double their efforts in crime fighting.
The AIG revealed that the successes recorded in his time as CP were made possible through the combined efforts of the command management team.
Commending the officers, he remarked that “we worked tirelessly day and night to ensure that Rivers people sleep with their two eyes closed.
“We were able to keep Rivers safe and secured before, during and after the Christmas and New Year.
“Now I am going. I thank God that I came to Rivers in peace, I worked in Rivers in peace and I am going to leave Rivers in peace.”
Bala further recalled the milestones achieved during his leadership, which includes the rescue of 13 underaged pregnant girls who were victims of child trafficking. Arrest of arm robbers, kidnappers and recovery of fire arms, explosive devices, vehicles and other items.
On his part, the new CP who spoke onbehalf of officers of the state command expressed appreciation to the AIG, describing him as a father and mentor.
Adepoju who is a former Divisional Police Officer Mile One and former Deputy Commissioner of Police in-charge of operation said, “I want to express my gratitude for our AIG’s exceptional leadership and kindness, he is truly a father and mentor.
“I’ve learnt alot from him. He has shown exceptional leadership. I want him to know that Rivers State is his home.”
In his Congratulatory message, a member of the police family, Mr Lazarus Chinaka charged Adepoju to give his best.
Meanwhile, the AIG and CP decorated Elijah Eleke who was promoted from Chief Superintendent of Police
to Assistant Commissioner of Police.
Also, Umar Hassan was decorated with rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police.