As the Yuletide season approaches, the Rivers State Police Command has issued a stern warning against night travel along the Elele-Omerelu and Isiokpo-Elele Roads in Ikwerre Local Government Area due to the rising spate of kidnappings and other criminal activities along that route.

The State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Mustapha, conveyed this warning while speaking in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

He emphasised that the command has ramped up security measures along these routes to address the security concerns effectively.

Mustapha revealed, ?We have carried out a comprehensive security deployment along the roads from Airport Roundabout Omagwa to Isiokpo, Elele, and extending to the boundary with Imo, and from Elele to Omoku, Elele-Alumini. By the grace of God, these areas are now fortified.?

He added, ?We are urging road users to limit their movements during the night hours. Traveling after midnight is extremely risky. Our goal is to make these roads safer for everyone throughout the holiday season and beyond.?

The commissioner also disclosed that the command has engaged in talks with local vigilante groups in the area to find lasting solutions to the security challenges.

These discussions have highlighted the involvement of some former members of local vigilante groups, notably the Onelga Security Peace Advisory Committee in the ongoing criminal activities.

Mustapha said, ?We identified through our discussions with the vigilante leaders that some of these criminal activities are perpetrated by individuals who once belonged to OSPAC.

?These are not just ordinary criminals but former members of the same organization who have turned to criminality. They take advantage of our weakened presence to carry out their activities.

?The leadership of OSPAC has assured us they are committed to helping us identify and arrest these culprits. They have pledged their support in flushing out these bad elements from their ranks,? he added.

Our correspondent recalls that in 2016, persistent kidnappings along these roads led to the establishment of multiple police checkpoints to combat the menace.

However, despite these measures, criminal activities have resurfaced on the Elele-Isiokpo and Elele-Omerelu Roads, as highlighted by a video shared recently by kidnap victims recounting their ordeals.

The victims claimed they were taken to a remote farmland full of bodies and that many abducted travellers remain in captivity along these routes in Rivers State. (The PUNCH)

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