WIKE, Abe, others react to death of Rivers Commissioner of Police
Prominent citizens in Rivers State have expressed sadness over the death of the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Francis Adesanya, in an Indian Hospital last Tuesday.
In his reaction, the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, said that Mr. Adesanya’s death was received with sadness and shock.
In a condolence message, Governor Wike described the late Police Commissioner as a thoroughbred professional who played a key role in the successful fight against crime and criminality in Rivers State.
He said that the quality contributions of the late Police Commissioner would be missed by all members of the Rivers State Security Council. The governor condoled with the Police High Command, officers and men of the Rivers State Police Command over the death of the police commissioner and prayed God to grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt and signed by his spokesperson, Mr. Parry Saroh Benson, Senator Abe said he was shocked to learn about the death of the fine and gallant police officer, who was the immediate serving commissioner in the state.
The Senator Abe who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), said the late commissioner was a true professional who carried out his duties with sense of responsibility, commitment and diligence.
He regretted that late Mr. Odesanya could die at this critical period of our national life, when his professional service, competence and capabilities were needed in containing threats to national security and ensuring crime free society.
He described the late commissioner as a patriot, who was principled, dogged, and brave in fighting crime, pointing out that the people of the state would miss his efforts dearly and condoled with the family of the bereaved for the loss of their bread winner as well as the government and people of Ogun State.
The former Secretary to Rivers State Government prayed that God would give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss and on behalf of the people of Rivers South East Senatorial District, expressed commiseration on the death of the Police Chief.
The Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside has also described the death of serving Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Francis Odesanya as shocking and coming at a time when the state and Nigeria needed his professional competence and managerial capability.
Dr. Peterside stated that the demise of CP Odesanya has robbed the nation of a fine officer and gentleman, who rose through the ranks before being posted to Rivers State to help curtail the activities of criminal elements.
He bemoaned: “Indeed, our state and the entire nation have lost a fine officer and gentleman who weathered it through the ranks to the position he held before his death. His loss becomes more painful considering his efforts at checkmating the dangerous activities of criminals in Rivers State.”
The NIMASA DG sympathized with the Inspector-General of Police and Police Service Commission over the unfortunate loss, saying it was indeed a big loss to the Nigeria Police.
“This is indeed a sad one to the Police, Rivers State and Nigeria. He has contributed to the corporate existence of Nigeria and fought several criminal elements in the society to ensure that we are able to move around freely and go about our normal duties.
“For the few months he has been in Rivers State, he showed the attributes of a good leader, who is ready to lead from the front and provide direction for the rank and file,” Peterside stressed.
The NIMASA boss prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed, just as he wished his family God’s guidance and grace as they mourn the demise of their illustrious son.
The Rivers Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union Of Journalists(NUJ) has also joined the grieving members of the Rivers State Police Command over the death of their boss ,commissioner of police.
The Chairman of the Chapel, Sir Ernest Chinwo, on behalf of the Chapel rued the passage of the police commissioner, regretting that the police boss died when he would have been reaping the fruit of peace he helped in fostering in the state.
Sir Chinwo conveyed the condolence message during a courtesy visit to the Divisional Police officer, DPO, of Diobu Poilce station, Mile one in Port Harcourt, Mr. Hassan Yahaya, on Wednesday.
