The Nigeria Police Force has said its operatives cannot access the troubled Niger Delta community of Okuama because of the ongoing military operation in the area.
This was disclosed by the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda while speaking with Arise News on Wednesday on the reason for the absence of the police force in the community.
The commissioner said the police had not been able to get into Okuama because “it’s an ongoing military operation”. He, however, added that they were working hand in hand with other security agencies to make sure that those who murdered 16 soldiers in the community were caught and brought to justice.
He continued: “In the Okuama incident, we have an ongoing military operation there. We have been on the ground, and we have been supportive. We have not been missing in action. Technology has been an integral part of present-day policing.
“These individuals are being tracked. Efforts are being made to ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous crime are brought to book. We are working in conjunction with other security agencies and I can assure you that we are making progress.
“Most of the places are deserted. I would not like to say more than that. It’s an ongoing military operation. I think when these things are ongoing, it is better that things are not said that might aggravate or pass information to those we are looking for.
“We have not been able to move into this community. Yes, it is our responsibility as the primary line of defence in internal security. But when you have another sister agency conducting an operation, the reasonable thing to do is to wait for them to finish.
“We have not been able for now to get into Okuoma because of the volatile nature of what is presently ongoing around that environment.”
But the commissioner guaranteed that the police would be allowed to enter Okuoma shortly since they were working on getting clearance. He added that the police would continue to provide full support in ensuring the safety and security of life and property in the state.
“I can assure you that very soon, we will be able to get in. For us to get to Okoloba and Okuoma, you would need to get clearance. So we are working on this so that we can also ensure the safety of our people who are in those environments.
“But we are on the ground, we are in our divisions, we are in our outpost, we are in our various formations. We are rendering our services, which is what the mandate of the inspector general of police is. Protection of lives and property. We are doing this. Not just in this community but all over Delta state,” he added.
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