In a warning issued to police officers involved in the upcoming Operation Velvet in the state, the Police Commissioner of the Rivers State (CP)Olugbenga Adepoju, has warned against any form of extortion, brutality, harassment, and abuse of office.
The enforcement operation, which is expected to begin from August 17, 2026, is to ensure that violators of the traffic laws are apprehended in order to stop the rising cases of violation of traffic laws, which cause persistent traffic jams, obstruction of traffic flow, and unnecessary risk to road users.
The commissioner made the warning through the Police Public Relations Officer, Blessing Kaborlo, in which he charged Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, and Tactical Commanders to implement the operation in their various jurisdictions.
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He emphasized that staff members participating in the exercise should perform their roles in a professional and responsible manner while taking into consideration the basic rights and human dignity of the members of the general public.
The command stated that traffic offenders would be sanctioned according to the law through either arrest or impounding of the vehicles involved in violation of the traffic rules and laws.
The commissioner also asked motorists, truck drivers, tricycle drivers, motorcycle riders and other road users to abide by the traffic laws and cooperate with police staff members in the course of the exercise.
He urged the road users to refrain from behaviors that could hinder traffic movement and endanger human life, emphasizing the need for cooperation among the general public.
This directive also served to motivate members of the general public to make reports on any emergencies or extortion, human rights abuses, police abuses and any other important information via the Complaint Response Unit on 07057605209, 07057605256, 08120822987 and 07072323049 and the Police Control Room on 08032003514.
According to the Rivers State Police Command, Operation Velvet falls under the category of effective policing, road safety, observance of human rights and security of life.
