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.Assures Igbo community, others of safety
Gov Douye Diri of Bayelsa on Wednesday reiterated his administration’s zero tolerance for crimes and warned criminal elements to henceforth steer clear the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Diri gave the warning during the re-launch of the state security outfit code-named “Operation Doo-Akpo.”
He also inaugurated 50 brand new operational vehicles, 40 motorbikes and gadgets for the security outfit.
The governor signed into law, the Community Safety Corps Bill passed by the State House of Assembly.
The law streamlines the workings of “Operation Doo-Akpo,” the Bayelsa Volunteers and the Bayelsa Vigilante under one umbrella.
Speaking during the event at the Peace Park, Yenagoa, Diri said that the exercise was to reinvigorate the security architecture of the state to make it more efficient and effective in crime fighting.
According to him, the state security outfit was not to usurp the functions of the conventional security agencies, but to support and collaborate with them to rid the state of criminals.
He said the priority of his administration was to ensure the prosperity of the people which could not be achieved without security of lives and property.
Describing crime fighting as a collective effort, he appealed to security agencies to conceal the identity of informants to encourage people to report criminal activities.
The governor also appealed to the people to provide information to the security agencies that would lead to more effective crime fighting.
The Bayelsa helmsman thanked security agencies for their role in ensuring relative peace in the state.
He also appreciated his predecessor, Sen. Seriake Dickson, for establishing “Operation Doo-Akpo” in 2012, which he said had over the years assisted in combating crime.
“I have just signed the Community Safety Corps Bill into law. This is intended to complement the work of the constitutionally recognised security agencies.
“The law also harmonises the special security outfits of the state under one umbrella.
“This means that henceforth “Operation Doo-Akpo,” Bayelsa Volunteers and Bayelsa Vigilante will operate under one umbrella.
“In line with our action plan for security, we have made progress in changing the mindset of our operatives, enhanced intelligence gathering, reinforced our alertness and increased mobility and response time.
“After comprehensively and holistically evaluating the situation, we have made informed and tailored decisions, allowing us to re-engage “Doo-Akpo” even more effectively, strengthening performance and guaranteeing the safety and security of our people.
“Improving responsiveness also requires that we have the requisite equipment and assets.
“Consequently, it gives me great joy to re-launch Operation Doo-Akpo. Necessarily, the programme has been rejigged, redesigned and refreshed to be more responsive and responsible in carrying out its duties.
“In this first phase, I am commissioning for immediate deployment, 50 brand new Hilux patrol vehicles, a new state-wide command-and-control system based on Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) technology.
” Also being deployed are 40 brand new motorcycles and a K-9-Unit (special unit),” Diri said.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, CP Agberebi Akpoebi (rtd), noted that the outfit had assisted in combating crime in the state.
According to him, the swift response of “Doo-Akpo” to distress calls encouraged residents to believe in the capability of the outfit to ensure their safety.
Earlier, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, said the community safety corp bill would assist in curbing crimes, protecting government infrastructures in rural areas and engaging youths of the state.
Meanwhile, Governor Diri has assured Igbo community and other non-natives living in the state of safety and security of their lives and property.
The governor, who gave the assurance at a meeting he held with the leadership of Ohaneze-Ndigbo in the state at the Government House, Yenagoa on Wednesday, expressed his administration’s commitment to peaceful coexistence.
He, however, warned that his government would not hesitate to invoke the laws of the land on anyone bent on jeopardising the peace and security of lives and property in the state.
Although the governor said that no society was crime-free, he said that his administration would not fold its arms and allow investments in the state go down the drain due to activities of criminals.
Diri assured the Ohaneze-Ndigbo leadership and members doing business in the state that their investments were secure under his administration, as they were partners in progress.
“The government of Bayelsa will continue to stand by the constitution and defend the lives and property of everyone living in this state.
“It is in this light that we are scaling up the security of Bayelsa, particularly in Yenagoa metropolis.
“All those involved in crime and criminality should think twice now. There are laws against kidnapping in this state and those laws will be invoked.
“Our state has been one of the most peaceful in Nigeria and we want it to be that way.
“Let me further assure you that this government will work hand in gloves with you to protect and secure the lives and property of the Igbo people living in Bayelsa as long as they live within the confines of the law,” Diri said.
He urged them to disabuse their minds from the notion that the Igbo were targets of any act of crime and criminality, stating that crime had no discrimination.
Speaking earlier, leader of Ohaneze-Ndigbo in the state, Mazi Onuma Johnson, said that the Igbo had been part of the socio-economic progress in the state and would continue to play their role in sustaining the development.
Johnson, who is also the Special Adviser to the Governor on Non-Indigenes, said that they were pleased to identify with the government, stating that the motto of every Igbo man was “Prosperity for All.”
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