In a decisive move to tighten the noose around criminal elements operating within the transport sector, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, convened a high-level strategic meeting with key stakeholders on Monday, May 11, 2026.
The engagement, held at the Command Headquarters in Asaba, brought together a broad spectrum of the transport industry, including the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), and the Commercial Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association (COMTOA).
The meeting followed a direct mandate from the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to enhance public safety through grassroots collaboration.
Addressing the assembly, CP Oyeniyi underscored the critical role transport operators play in the state’s security architecture. He revealed that criminal syndicates are increasingly exploiting the transport network to facilitate high-level crimes.
“Criminal elements often exploit transport systems to move arms, illicit drugs, and ransom payments linked to kidnapping activities,” CP Oyeniyi stated. “We have convened this meeting to educate operators on these emerging tactics. I urge you to remain vigilant and ensure you are not used as tools by those seeking to destabilise the state.”
The Commissioner placed a heavy emphasis on administrative discipline within motor parks, identifying poor documentation as a significant security loophole. He warned that the Command would no longer tolerate laxity regarding passenger records.
“Properly organised parks and effective passenger documentation are non-negotiable,” the CP stressed. “Accurate manifests containing passengers’ phone numbers and addresses are vital tools that greatly assist security operations and crime prevention efforts. We must also eliminate the practice of picking passengers along roadsides, as this exposes commuters to attacks and makes monitoring impossible.”
In response, the transport unions voiced their commitment while highlighting the friction points they face daily. Chief Francis Arhiyor, the State Chairman of the NURTW, pointed out that the public often resists security measures.
“We face challenges with passengers who refuse the search of their parcels and show a total reluctance to provide proper details in manifest logs,” Chief Arhiyor noted. He further appealed for government-led sensitisation, adding, “We need increased public awareness on radio and television so that passengers understand that identification and parcel checks are for their own safety.”
Adding a local government perspective, Comrade Nnamdi Odiwe, representing the Oshimili South LGA Chairman, drew attention to the mushrooming of illegal loading points. He called for a joint task force approach, stating, “There is a clear danger posed by unauthorised roadside parks. We need stronger collaboration between government authorities and the Police to monitor these illegal spots and improve overall oversight.”
CP Oyeniyi concluded the session by assuring the stakeholders that the police presence would be bolstered across both land and waterways through increased visibility policing. He affirmed that such engagements would be continuous to ensure that security policies are effectively implemented at the ground level.
“Sustained community collaboration is the only way to implement policies that truly reduce crime,” the CP remarked. “The Command is grateful for your partnership, and we remain committed to ensuring that Delta State remains a hostile environment for criminals.”
