Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, has pledged to step up surveillance and engage leaders of herdsmen to curb increasing incidents of herders’ invasions in parts of the state.
This assurance was given on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ meeting in Etche Local Government Area, convened on behalf of the State Sole Administrator, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas. Community representatives from Etche and Omuma Local Government Areas raised concerns over rising cases of kidnapping, land grabbing, and attacks linked to herdsmen, urging urgent government intervention.
According to a statement from the media aide to the Sole Administrator, Hector Igbikiowubo, the meeting was part of a series of community consultations by the state government. The Police Commissioner also assured that additional security forces would be deployed to volatile areas, and that the state would fast-track development projects, including hospital and school rehabilitation as well as youth empowerment initiatives.
Traditional rulers and other community leaders were in attendance at the town hall meetings.
