The governor gave the charge when the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 5, Alkali Usman, paid him a courtesy visit in Asaba, the state capital.

During the visit, Okowa raised an alarm over the increasing cases of kidnappings and other crimes in the state.

"There is no doubt that Delta State is relatively peaceful but kidnapping has become a national issue and it is very unfortunate. Most of the kidnappings that takes place happen in the highways and that is a cause for worry,” Okowa said.

“Road users who travel receive a lot of attacks and that has become very worrisome; it is getting scary and soon. We will not be able to travel without seeking some form of help from the security agencies and I know that there is not enough manpower to be able to provide protection for all travelers.

"We heard recently that Reverend Fathers were attacked. I have talked with the Commissioner of Police and a lot is being done but, I believe that there is the need to involve our neighbouring states like Edo, Bayelsa and even Anambra States for us to be able to find solutions to this particular crime. We need to gather a lot of intelligence as I strongly believe that these criminals are mobile as they move from one location to another," he observed.

While congratulating AIG Usman over his appointment, Okowa expressed confidence that his knowledge of the terrain would be an asset in making ease, the task of crime control in the zone.

In view of the forthcoming 2019 eneral elections, the governor urged politicians to play by the rules and avoid overheating the polity.

Earlier, AIG Usman who was in Asaba with top officers, informed the governor that he was on familiarization tour of Police formation in the zone and used the occasion to thank Governor Okowa's administration for contributing to the success stories of the Police in crime control.