Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel Erale, has paid a courtesy visit to the Asagba of Asaba, HRM Professor Epiphany Azinge, who commended the police response to security concerns around Koka Flyover and called for stronger intelligence sharing between security agencies and the community.
Key Highlights
- Delta State Commissioner of Police Samuel Erale visits the Asagba of Asaba.
- The monarch commends the police response to reported security concerns around Koka Flyover.
- Residents and traders had raised concerns over alleged robberies, phone snatching and harassment around the flyover.
- Police reportedly deployed additional patrol teams and a tactical unit to the area.
- The Asagba urges stronger police-community intelligence sharing and professional conduct.
- CP Erale pledges continued security operations and collaboration with community leaders.
- The police command says the Koka Flyover operation will be reviewed weekly.
Delta CP Visits Asagba of Asaba Over Security Concerns
CP Samuel Erale visited the palace of the Asagba of Asaba on Monday as part of efforts to strengthen cooperation between the Delta State Police Command and traditional institutions.
According to a publication on the official Palace of HRM The Asagba of Asaba Facebook page on October 13, the monarch praised what he described as the commissioner’s swift intervention in response to security concerns around Koka Flyover.
The Asagba also called for improved intelligence sharing between residents, community leaders and security agencies to sustain peace in Asaba, the Delta State capital.
The visit comes amid concerns raised by commuters, traders and other residents over reported criminal activities around the busy flyover.
Koka Flyover: Residents Raise Alarm Over Robbery, Phone Snatching
For months, commuters and traders around Koka Flyover have reportedly complained about robberies, phone snatching, harassment of motorists and the activities of suspected miscreants.
The area, which serves as an important entry point into Asaba, has also attracted concerns over illegal hawking and congestion beneath the bridge, particularly during evening traffic.
Some traders and commuters said the reported activities had affected their sense of security, especially for passengers boarding commercial vehicles after dark.
A commercial bus driver, speaking in the account provided, said suspected hoodlums had previously approached commuters and taken their phones, while hawkers sometimes obstructed movement around the road.
These accounts reflect residents’ concerns, although independent crime statistics for the area were not provided.
Delta Police Deploy Patrol Teams to Koka Flyover
Following the reported complaints, the Delta State Police Command was said to have deployed additional patrol teams and a tactical unit to Koka Flyover and adjoining routes.
Residents reportedly observed increased police visibility in the area over the preceding two weeks, with officers conducting patrols and security checks.
Some residents also said vigilantes had been working alongside security personnel to improve safety and address activities considered unlawful around the flyover.
A food vendor in the area reportedly welcomed the increased police presence, saying officers had become more visible during both daytime and nighttime hours.
The reported deployment forms part of the security response aimed at addressing concerns raised by residents and businesses operating around the busy transport corridor.
CP Erale Promises Sustained Security Operations
During his visit to the Asagba, CP Erale reportedly assured the monarch that the police command would sustain the operation around Koka Flyover.
He also pledged to work with community leaders, market associations and youth groups to improve intelligence gathering and strengthen efforts to prevent crime.
The collaboration is expected to help the police identify emerging security concerns and respond more effectively to reports from residents.
The command said the operation would continue and be reviewed weekly, according to the information provided.
Asagba Calls for Police-Community Collaboration
The Asagba of Asaba commended the police response and urged officers to maintain professionalism while deepening cooperation with traditional institutions and community stakeholders.
The monarch emphasised that security requires the participation of residents as well as law enforcement agencies.
“Security is everybody’s business. We must share information early,” the Asagba was quoted as saying.
His remarks highlighted the importance of timely information sharing in preventing crime, improving response times and building trust between the police and the communities they serve.
Koka Flyover Security Remains a Priority in Asaba
The reported police operation and the commissioner’s visit to the Asagba underscore the importance of addressing public safety concerns around Koka Flyover, a major transport route into Asaba.
For residents and traders, the key test will be whether increased patrols lead to sustained improvements in safety and reduce reported cases of robbery, phone snatching and harassment.
Continued cooperation between the police, traditional rulers, traders, transport operators and residents could also help improve the reporting of suspicious activities and support crime prevention.
The Delta State Police Command is expected to review the operation weekly, according to the account provided. However, no detailed official crime figures or independent assessment of the operation’s impact were included in the report.
