In response to the alarming rise in car theft incidents across Rivers State, the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) is urging the Nigerian Police and other security agencies to bolster their highway surveillance efforts.
The call to action was made by Francis Dimpka, Chairman of PETROAN in Rivers State, during a visit to the Aba Police Division following the recovery of a vehicle belonging to one of their members. Dimpka recounted how the car was stolen from a restaurant in Port Harcourt but was intercepted by police along the Port Harcourt-Aba road while the thieves were en route to Abia State.
“We are grateful for the swift response of the police, which led to the recovery of the stolen vehicle, but it’s imperative that we see more proactive measures implemented to prevent such incidents from occurring in the first place,” Dimpka said in an interview with journalists.
In recognition of the police’s diligent efforts, PETROAN awarded the officer responsible for intercepting the stolen vehicle, underscoring the association’s commitment to encouraging hard work and cooperation among security personnel.
According to Addicson Kalu, the Public Relations Officer of PETROAN, the recognition aims to motivate security forces to remain vigilant in their duties. “By acknowledging the hard work of law enforcement, we hope to inspire even greater diligence in the fight against crime in our communities,” Kalu stated.
As the association continues to advocate for improved security measures, local residents are hopeful that enhanced surveillance will help curb the increasing trend of car thefts in Rivers State.