THE new Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Kwale Police Division, CSP Onyesom Eluonye has warned youths, particularly those involved in cultism in the area against all forms of unholy attitudes, movements or actions that can lead to breach of peace, security and orderliness within the police area of jurisdiction.
CSP Eluonye gave the warning while addressing large crowds of community youths during his familiarization visits to youths in the division.
It will be recalled that the new DPO had earlier visited traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders within the area shortly after he assumed duty at the police division.
At Umusadege Ogbe, the DPO said that he placed youths on top priority in crime fighting, pointing out that no security agency can succeeded without partnership with youths, whom he described as important and potential leaders of tomorrow. He intimated them on the adverse effects and dangers of violence and condemned the indiscriminate cult clashes which claimed lives of young men in the town.
Eluonye explained further that violence and cultism causes under development and other social vices, and called on them to always collaborate with the police and other security agencies to check and stop cult activities and other crimes, particularly kidnapping, stealing, motorcycle snatching, among other crimes.
While requesting cultists to denounce their memberships, the DPO pledged to assist them in the process.
On herders/ farmers clashes, he disclosed that one herder had been arraigned and remanded in prison custody for violating anti-open grazing laws.
He counseled the youths on good relationship with the police and cautioned them against obstruction of arrest, assault of police officers, disregard to rules of law, as well as advised vigilant personnel against detention of suspects , noting that vigilante groups have no legal and constitutional authority to prosecute or detain any criminal, but should arrest and hand over any suspect to the police after arrest.
Speaking further, CSP Eluonye encouraged the youths to enlist into the police force, advocating adequate assistance to the police and vigilante groups , especially in the areas of mobility, gadgets and logistics to aide effective and adequate policing and security of lives and property.
In his response on behalf of his members, the President of Umusadege Ogbe Youths Association Comrade Monday Ododo, congratulated the new DPO on his recent promotion and deployment to Kwale Police Division, and promised that the youths would transfer their cooperation and support to him. He described Umusadege Ogbe as hospitable and recalled that the youths in their quest to assist in security,established local vigilante group for the community, purchased two new brand Sienna vehicles and other equipment to assist in securing the town. He also promised to look into the DPO request for mobility and other gadgets.
At Isumpe Ogbe community where the DPO also addressed the youths, their President Comrade Emmanuel Ugbeh, promised their sincere and constant synergy with the police and thanked the Kwale new DPO for his effort so far, pointing out that it was the first time Kwale Police DPO paid visit to the youths and further pleaded that any suspected criminal arrested by the youths and handed over to the police should not be granted bail without the consent of the youths or the complainant to avoid discouraging the youths’ support in crime fighting.
