Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, has warned that the endorsement and celebration of ill-gotten wealth is a significant factor driving crime and insecurity in Nigeria. Speaking through the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, during a radio program, CP Abaniwonda stressed that treating individuals flaunting inexplicable wealth as common criminals and shunning them from society is crucial to reducing crime. He also called on parents and citizens to discourage criminal activities by promoting sound moral values and reporting suspicious wealth to law enforcement for action.
Insecurity in Nigeria could be significantly reduced if individuals flaunting inexplicable wealth are treated as common criminals, shunned by society, and reported to law enforcement for arrest and prosecution. This was the assertion made by the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, as conveyed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, during a radio program, Orientation Panorama, on Wednesday.
CP Abaniwonda expressed concern over the troubling trend where some parents and unpatriotic citizens celebrate and endorse the social status of criminal elements who display unexplainable wealth. He identified this practice as a major contributing factor to the rising crime and insecurity in Nigeria and other developing nations. According to him, the glorification of such ill-gotten wealth fuels the desire among young people to pursue money through dubious and often dangerous means, leading to a surge in criminal activities such as advance fee fraud, looting of public funds, and kidnapping for ransom.
The Commissioner emphasized that the Delta State Police Command remains committed to protecting life and property across the state. He highlighted recent successes, including the recovery of several arms and ammunition, such as AK-47 and AK-49 rifles, from criminal gangs operating in various parts of Delta State.
CP Abaniwonda reassured the public that Delta State will continue to enjoy a substantial level of peace and security. He also urged individuals spreading alarmist messages on social media to support their claims with verifiable information and data to aid the police and other security agencies in their efforts to combat crime effectively and in real-time.
He extended his gratitude to the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for the support provided to security agencies, noting that government assistance has played a crucial role in enhancing effective policing, intelligence gathering, and the protection of life and property in the state. CP Abaniwonda emphasized that crime fighting is a shared responsibility between law enforcement agencies and citizens, who must contribute by providing credible information, issuing genuine crime alerts, and aiding in the arrest and prosecution of criminals.
Finally, the Commissioner called on parents to instill strong moral values and discipline in their children, discouraging them from engaging in criminal activities.