Dickson: Criminals in Bayelsa Have Abuja Backing

By Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa

Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, has urged the various law enforcement agencies in the state to guard against politicization of security issues, which could undermine security.

Dickson, who stated this when he received the new Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Mohammed Sani Garba, in Government House, Yenagoa, noted that his administration has made substantial investment in ensuring peace and stability in the state.

He noted that crime has neither colour, nor political party, adding that the government expects security agencies to bring the full weight of the law in routing those who perpetrate violence and criminal activities.

“I will like to say that those who are manning security agencies should not politicize security. In this state, those who know us, know how we take issues of security. For us, security knows no partisanship; criminality; has no colour and must be dealt with as such.

“If we have riffraffs, who are a threat to their communities within this area, we expect the Navy under your command to take decisive steps to contain them and not pander to political interests, because what we have seen in this state is that, some criminals do have some backing from certain political elements in Abuja to undermine the security of this state.

”And, after some time, I believe you will come face to face with some of that reality. We count on all law enforcement agencies to fall back on their years of meritorious service to our country; to fall back on their experiences to manage such politicization of crime”,he said.

Assuring the Nigerian Navy of the government’s support, Governor Dickson noted that the command has a strategic role to play in ensuring security, particularly on the waterways, given the predominantly riverine nature of the state.

While acknowledging the contributions of his predecessor to securing the state, the Governor also approved the request for the provision of land for the Central Naval Command for the purpose of building a barrack and a landing jetty to enable the command function effectively.

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