By: Ovasa Ogaga,

Following the recent rise in crime rate across Delta State, the Commissioner of Police Delta State Police Command, Mr. Muhammad Mustafa has been transfered and replaced with Mr. Anthony Michael Ogbizi as the new CP.

Recall that the upsurge of crime such as Kidnapping, ritual killings, proliferation of arms, cultism, including cases of homicides and murders had necessitated for the call by many Deltans for the sack of the Police boss who seems overwhelmed and hapless.

More worrisome was the recent cases of gunmen ambushing and killing of policeman across Delta leading to the command placing a prize tag on anyone that can help with useful information to unravel those behind the killing of police officer.

According to a Police source who spoke to Advocate but pleaded for anonymity said that the coming of a new Commissioner of Police, CP Anthony Michael Ogbizi to take over the guard from CP Muhammad Mustafa, who is billed to move to Ebonyi State, will boast the moral of officers and men of the command, who have lost fate in the leadership of the outgoing CP.

At the signing of the official handover note, CP Mustafa acknowledged that there rising cases of crime, particularly ritual related killing, kidnapping, cultism and arms glorification.

The outgoing Commissioner who affirmed he had taken time to brief the new CP on the successes recorded by the Command under his watch; wished him well and solicited the support and cooperation of the officers and men, including the rank and file for him to succeed.

He also thanked the Delta State Government and the media for their supports in ensuring his success at various points of operation and administration.

Meanwhile, the incoming 17th Commissioner of Police in Delta, CP Anthony Michael Ogbizi promises to continue from where his predecessor had stop and ensure a peaceful Delta.

According to him, “I will continue where the CP Mustafa had stopped; we do not change the working system here. This taking over will reflect the synergy I hope to enjoy here too”.

Ogbizi confirmed being briefed of the security challenges in Delta. He posited that he was ready to rally round his team to face headlong the ritual killings, proliferation of arms, robbery, cultism, homicides and murders as the real serious crimes at the front burner, based on the realities before him.

” I am also aware the outgoing Commissioner of Police had adopted some measures to curb the menace. This we will follow vigorously.

We need the cooperation of all to succeed, my officers, press and all other stakeholders. The media in particular; help us to take the message to all, even to the grassroots that police is a friend to all.

“The Police under my command is ever ready to professionally man the society ahead of the forthcoming election. There won’t be cause to be afraid, we will work in synergy. There will be security beef up across the state. Of course, being an election, every police man is expected to be mobilized for the election”, the new CP said.