ASABA, Delta State — Delta Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, has warned officers under his command that extortion, unlawful detention and excessive use of force will not be tolerated, directing senior commanders to tighten supervision ahead of the year-end “ember months.”
In a statement by the command’s spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, the CP set a results-driven agenda at a strategic conference with Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, and tactical unit heads at the Police Officers’ Mess, Asaba. He ordered intelligence-led patrols, disciplined highway enforcement, and unwavering respect for human rights across operations.
Abaniwonda issued a firm prohibition on random stops and searches of mobile phones, calling the practice “embarrassing” and warning that any officer found engaging in it would face decisive sanctions. He also reaffirmed zero tolerance for any form of extortion or arbitrary detention.
To sharpen accountability, the CP directed commanders to strengthen pre-deployment briefings and post-deployment debriefs, and to focus on identified black spots, kidnap and robbery corridors using granular intelligence. He emphasized continued synergy with sister security agencies and deeper collaboration with local communities, aligning with the Inspector-General’s inter-agency cooperation agenda.
On highway duty, Abaniwonda ordered firm but civil enforcement, urging personnel to couple visible deterrence with professional conduct. He assured residents that the command’s robust security architecture will be sustained and escalated throughout the festive period, with targeted operations to deter violent crime and reassure the public.
“The message is clear,” Edafe said. “Under CP Olufemi Abaniwonda’s leadership, professionalism, accountability, and rights-respecting policing are non-negotiable.”
