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In a renewed effort to combat crime and enhance public safety in Delta State, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, has directed all patrol and guard officers, vigilante groups, forest guards and other recognised civil security outfits in the state to intensify intelligence gathering and sustain security patrols across forests, rural communities and critical access routes.

The directive was issued on Wednesday during a strategic security meeting held at the Delta State Police Command headquarters, Asaba, attended by patrol and guard officers from all police divisions across the state.

The State Police Command directive comes amid sustained efforts by security agencies to curb kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes in the state through enhanced community policing and intelligence-driven operations.

Addressing participants at the meeting, CP Oyeniyi emphasised the need for heightened surveillance of roads, waterways, railway corridors and bush paths, noting that criminal elements often exploit such locations to perpetrate kidnapping, armed robbery and other forms of criminality.

The Police Commissioner commended vigilante groups and other community-based security outfits for their contributions to maintaining peace and security across Delta State.

However, he stressed that their operations must be conducted strictly within the confines of the law and in close coordination with the Nigeria Police Force.

According to him, all activities of local security outfits should be streamlined under the supervision of the respective Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) to ensure accountability and effective implementation of community policing strategies.

CP Oyeniyi noted that sustainable security can only be achieved through strong collaboration between the police and community security stakeholders, backed by continuous intelligence sharing and coordinated patrol operations.

He also issued a stern warning against acts of unlawful detention, torture, dehumanising treatment of suspects and the use of vigilante groups to settle personal grievances or political scores.

The Commissioner directed that all persons apprehended by local security outfits must be immediately handed over to the nearest police station for proper investigation and prosecution in accordance with the law.

Furthermore, he charged leaders of vigilante and forest guard groups to instil discipline among their members, identify and remove criminal elements within their ranks, and desist from shielding individuals involved in illegal activities.

Reaffirming the command’s commitment to strengthening grassroots security architecture, CP Oyeniyi assured stakeholders that the police would continue to collaborate with genuine security partners within the framework of the law.

He added that similar strategic engagements would be replicated across the various local government areas of Delta State to improve coordination, intelligence gathering and collective efforts aimed at tackling insecurity and safeguarding lives and property.

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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has intensified pressure on the Federal Government over the death of Mary Habila, a physiotherapist who was found dead in the Ebonyi residence of David Umahi, Minister of Works.

The party demanded an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding her reported death at the residence of the Minister.

The opposition party also urged Umahi to step aside to allow an independent panel probe the case.

It argued that such a move is necessary to guarantee public confidence in the outcome of the probe.

ADC made the demands in a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi.

The party maintained that the death of a citizen inside the residence of a serving cabinet minister is a matter of public interest that requires full transparency and accountability.

It said questions surrounding Habila’s presence at the minister’s residence and the events leading to her death remain unanswered.

According to the party, only an inquiry conducted outside the influence of the Executive can establish the facts and restore public confidence.

“We therefore call for an independent investigation that is completely removed from the control or influence of the Executive.

“This inquiry must include a full autopsy to determine the exact cause of Ms Habila’s death and a public report of its findings,” the statement said.

The ADC argued that anything short of an independent probe would only fuel public suspicion and weaken trust in state institutions.

It further alleged that the Tinubu administration has repeatedly failed to subject senior government officials facing serious allegations to independent scrutiny.

The party accused the administration of shielding political appointees whenever controversies emerge.

It said the pattern had created “scandal insurance” for top government officials.

“The Tinubu administration appears more eager to defend reputations than to establish facts and submit to accountability,” Abdullahi said.

The opposition party described the incident as one that goes beyond politics, insisting that the death of a young woman in the residence of a serving minister demands exceptional openness.

It therefore insisted that Umahi should vacate office temporarily until an independent investigation is concluded.

“The least that should be expected is that the Minister, namely Senator David Umahi, should immediately step aside from office pending the conclusion of an independent investigation,” the statement added.

The ADC warned that failure by President Bola Tinubu to insist on accountability would reinforce public perception that his administration protects senior officials from scrutiny.

It said Nigerians deserve the truth about the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death, while her family deserves justice.

The party also extended condolences to Habila’s family, urging the authorities to ensure that the investigation is transparent and its findings made public.

Mary Habila’s death sparked nationwide attention after reports emerged that the young physiotherapist died under unclear circumstances at the Ebonyi residence of the Minister

The Ebonyi State Police Command subsequently transferred the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), while the cause of death remains unknown.

Umahi has denied any wrongdoing, insisting there was no attempt to conceal the incident.

He said Habila was among medical personnel attached to the Federal Ministry of Works and disclosed that he advised her family to approve an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

The incident has since attracted calls for an independent investigation from opposition parties and civil society groups.

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The Federal Government says it has evacuated 1,490 Nigerian nationals from South Africa through a series of humanitarian flights following ongoing xenophobic attacks and related security concerns.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday by its Spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, following the completion of the fifth phase of the voluntary evacuation programme.

Ebienfa said the fifth evacuation flight, operated by Air Peace, departed O.R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, at 6:30 a.m. South African time on Wednesday and arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at 11:30 a.m.

He said the aircraft conveyed 308 passengers, comprising 305 returnees and three Nigerian government officials who coordinated and supervised the evacuation.

“The Federal Government has now evacuated a total of 1,490 Nigerians from South Africa through a series of coordinated humanitarian flights undertaken in partnership with Air Peace Limited and South African Airways,” he said.

Ebienfa said the evacuation followed sustained diplomatic engagement with the South African government in response to security concerns arising from xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals, including Nigerians.

He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting the welfare of Nigerians abroad in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to him, the evacuation programme began on June 10, when Air Peace evacuated 258 Nigerians, followed by South African Airways, which airlifted 66 returnees on June 24.

He said Air Peace subsequently evacuated 272 Nigerians on June 30, 268 on July 2, 282 on July 9 and 305 on July 15, while South African Airways returned another 39 Nigerians on July 11.

Ebienfa said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs coordinated the evacuation in collaboration with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NEMA, Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Port Health Services and other relevant agencies.

He commended Air Peace for its support throughout the evacuation exercise, outlining the airline’s role as patriotic and instrumental to its success.

According to him, the operation reflects Nigeria’s commitment to its citizens’ diplomacy policy, which prioritises the protection, welfare and dignity of Nigerians abroad.

Ebienfa said the government would continue to engage South Africa through diplomatic channels to promote the safety and peaceful coexistence of all residents while maintaining that xenophobia, racial intolerance and violence against foreign nationals remained unacceptable.

He also urged Nigerians living abroad to obey the laws of their host countries, register with the nearest Nigerian diplomatic mission and maintain regular contact with the missions to facilitate timely consular assistance when required.

(NAN)