The battle to revive eastern ports and enthrone industrialisation in south-south and south-east may have got a huge boost with the posting of a new Eastern Ports Police Commander, Yunusa Ogwuche.
This is as a new police commissioner, Mustapha Dandaura, has been sent to Rivers State in the wake of serial killing of women in hotel rooms in Port Harcourt, needing a big hunt. His arrival seems to pay off as Gracious David West from Asari-Toru Local Council Area of Rivers State was recently captured while fleeing to Akwa Ibom State soon after.
Stakeholders, including the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Rivers/Bayelsa chapter, have pushed for revival of eastern ports but the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) national leadership has pinned down insecurity amongst other factors militating against the eastern ports.
Apparently to start by tackling insecurity, a new commander has been sent with clear mandate to fight back port insecurity in the east. Ports in the region have faced incursions by hoodlums, some burrowing underground in Berths 5, 6, 7 in Port Harcourt Port to cut steel to sell. Those arrested were said not to be seriously dealt with, thus getting out to do even more havoc.
Now, the ports have cried out and the NPA seems keen to give hoodlums a fight so that the ports in the east could regain vitality and vibrancy. Many vessels are now diverting to the east while activity is said to have increased by over 100 percent. NPA and the security agencies seem to want stronger policing in the ports in the region, hence, Ogwuche’s arrival.
It is not clear how he plans to meet the huge expectations and how he plans to sanitise the security system and win the support of all units to win the battle, but he has already given indications which are being interpreted in the port community.
Speaking with newsmen on arrival, he promised to build on the existing relationships in the command so that those who do business in the ports will have their goods secured. He however, warned those pot rats to retrace their steps or will be dealt with within the ambits of the law.
The new eastern port commander, Ogwuche, took over the Command in a brief ceremony after inspecting a guard of honour. The Commissioner is seen to be returning to a familiar turf, Rivers State, in a higher rank.
He had served as Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in some divisions in Port Harcourt where he was known to have busted so many crimes due to his operational tactics.
During this period, he served as DPO Elimgbu, Central Police Station CPS, Olu Obasanjo, Isiokpo and Rumuji, amongst others. He is viewed as an officer and gentleman and a true professional to the core who has served his fatherland in different capacities.
Due to his operational prowess, he led a contingent of Nigeria Police to Haiti for peace keeping operations where he excelled in the Latin American country. Other tactical postings were as Police Mopol Force (PMF) unit commander, and squadron commander 8.
Ogwuche has served in all geo-political zones of the country in different capacities. Before his redeployment to the Eastern Ports Command, he was the Commissioner of Police, Border Patrol Force, at the force headquarters, Abuja. He is happily married with children.
On his part, the new Rivers police boss, Dandaura, has been a headquarters man with a brief stint in Anambra. He is said to be relied upon when crack investigations were needed and why integrity and thoroughness were important.
Coming from Kastina State, and from the same Daura as President Muhammadu Buhari, many see him as a strong character that has much to defend.
He wasted no time in throwing a dragnet through close circuit television camera system that exposed David-West in a hotel and soon had the suspected serial killer in the dragnet, an event that has turned Port Harcourt into global cynosure. The suspect has sensationally been confessing and making the Dandaura-led police look wonder.
Ignatius Chukwu
