The Rivers State Government says it is aware of the current security challenges posed by the activities of criminals that engage in abduction of innocent citizens, and has directed security agencies to re-strategise operations to apprehend culprits.
Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who gave this assurance Saturday during the re-opening of the Netherlands consulate in Port Harcourt, said the security situation worsened January when the government felt that it had achieved peace in the state and reduced security presence.
Governor Amaechi explained that the new wave of kidnapping was an indication that the security agents need to evolve new strategies to ensure that anyone who commits crime would not go free, and restated the preparedness of the government to ensure obedience of law in the state.
“We thought we hand achieved peace and began to reduce security presence so that nobody comes to the state and thinks that the place is militarised but we are going back to where we were before, so that nobody comes to commit crime and escapes”, Governor Amaechi stated.
He urged the people to bear with the government as the security challenge would soon be brought under control, noting that the ban on commercial motorcycles, popularly called Okada which provided easy escape for criminals, has helped in reducing crime as confirmed by the state police command.
The state chief executive disagreed that the crime wave in the Niger Delta was based on lack of development in the region, emphasising that the criminal elements engaged in kidnapping refused to take up any form of paid employment or take loan facilities provided by government without collateral to start their business but rather prefer kidnapping of people to get quick money.
Governor Amaechi opined that Nigerians must be accountable for their wrongdoings, adding that he would not negotiate with criminals, who carry arms like robbers to kidnap innocent persons.
He commended the Dutch government for re-opening their consulate in Port Harcourt, and assured the Ambassador, Mr Ariel Van der Wiel and the honorary Consul, Mrs Margo Van Amelesfoort-Van Lersel of the government’s cooperation to realize set objectives.
In his speech, the Netherlands Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Ariel Van der Wiel said Nigeria remains the bigger African trading partner with the Dutch because about 70 per cent of all Dutch investments in Africa are located in Nigeria.
Mr Van der Wiel, who is also the permanent representative to ECOWAS, observed that events in the past months have shown that Nigeria may not escape the global economic meltdown but with good governance and transparent management, the situation could be used to make important changes for a sustainable future.
According to him, security is a major concern to both the government and promoters of Dutch business in the Niger Delta, emphasising that a better and safer Niger Delta would lighten the work of the consul.
He said that with the re-opening of the Dutch Consulate in Port Harcourt after its closure some years ago, the relationship between the country and the Niger Delta region would grow from strength to strength.
Responding, the new honorary Consul, Mrs Margo Van Amelesfoort-Van Lersel, thanked the Netherlands ambassador for finding her worthy for the job, and promised to discharged her duties to the best of her ability.