Delta reiterates commitment to stamp out criminals from Kokori

Ovousorie Macaulay, the Secretary to the Government of Delta State, has reiterated the commitment of the government to stamp out criminals from Kokori in Ethiope East Local Government Area.
Macaulay stated the government’s position on Wednesday in Asaba while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the meeting of the state Security Council headed by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.
Macaulay said that it was unfortunate that some members of the Kokori community misconstrued the good intentions of the government for the people of the community.
He recalled that the government drafted the joint military and police officials to keep vigilance in the community after the arrest of one Kelvin, a notorious criminal from the community.
He said that investigation revealed that the community was a hideout for criminals and kidnappers.
He said that the presence of security men in the community was to protect innocent people from being harmed.
The SSG expressed concern that some people in the community were taking advantage of their relationship with some media houses in the country to distort the reason for drafting security men to the community.
“The truth remains that security men are there to do their work and arrest the gang that has constituted their own army in the community,” he said.
Macaulay warned those accusing the government of using security men to harass innocent residents of Kokori to desist from peddling falsehood.
He said that no responsible government would fold its arms and watch a few individuals take laws into their hands.
He said: “No innocent person in Kokori is being harassed by security agents.
“Instead, it is the criminals that are harassing those who are not given them support.
“The security men are there to protect the lives of innocent people.”
The General Commander, Army Base, Warri, Pat Akem, said that security personnel were drafted to Kokori to prevent the town from becoming a den of criminals.
Akem said: “We are doing everything possible to protect innocent people of the community.
“They should reciprocate the gesture.”
Also speaking, Ikechukwu Aduba, the Commissioner, Delta State Police Command, said that Kokori harbours criminals who are ready to fight security agents.
Aduba urged the elders and people of Kokori to be law abiding and support the government in its efforts to rid the community of criminals.